Freedom of the Press Conditions for freedom of expression in
Azerbaijan remain dire, as authorities continue to imprison
journalists and bloggers who express dissenting opinions.
Violence against journalists has not abated, and the media are
harassed with impunity. Although the 2000 Law on Mass Media
guarantees freedom of speech and access to information, these
rights are not protected in practice. Libel is a criminal
offense, and the government frequently uses it in politicized
ways. In the first half of 2011, there were 11 new cases filed
under libel and insult provisions of the criminal code, and 27
cases from previous years were still pending. A draft bill that
would decriminalize libel, prepared by the Press Council, has
been awaiting discussion in the parliament for a number of
years. Various other criminal laws, including those pertaining
to terrorism, hooliganism, narcotics, inciting hatred, and tax
evasion, are used by the authorities to suppress critical
reporting. In October 2011, court officers ra