Free Media Awards
2009
Azaliq - Azerbaijan
Azaliq is one of the few critical daily newspapers in Azerbaijan.
The newspaper is part of the opposition press, which maintains an uncompromising attitude in respect of the government.
As one of the most prominent critical newspapers, Azaliq has been subjected to numerous assaults from the authorities. The newspaper’s editor-in-chief Ganimat Zahidov and his brother Sakit Zahidov, a poet and journalist, are currently in prison for their journalistic endeavours.
Azaliq plays a key role in journalistic training. Many independent oppositional journalists in Azerbaijan have learned their trade there.
The newspaper was nominated by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, the Human Rights House Foundation, Oslo, Norwegian PEN and Rauf Mirkadirov, a political commentator in Azerbaijan. The prize is accompanied by EUR 30 000.