“Promoting media professionalism and freedom of information in Azerbaijan-Phase 1” (PRO-M-FEX) project

Launched on 1 July 2022, the Council of Europe project “Promoting media professionalism and freedom of information in Azerbaijan – Phase1” aims to contribute to improvement of the landscape for media and information society in Azerbaijan by strengthening the national legislation and its practice, as well as boosting media professionalism. The Project is funded by the voluntarily contributions of donors in the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Azerbaijan 2022-2025 and it will be implemented for 12 months. The Project’s total budget is EUR 200.000.

To reach this objective, the Project will support the implementation of activities addressing the need for legislative and institutional reforms, capacity-building for media professionals, as well as legal professionals including judges, prosecutors and lawyers.

The Project will follow up the achievements of the previous Council of Europe Project “Reinforcing gender-equality and other ethical standards in Azerbaijani media”, implemented in 2019-2022.

The Project activities will be implemented under three main components:

  • Legislative framework: This component aims to equip the national stakeholders with necessary tools and policy-advice on the Council of Europe standards regarding access to public information and official documents while promoting and recommending steps aimed at adherence to the Convention on Access to Official Documents (Tromsø, 18.VI.2009, Council of European Treaty Series No. 205). In the meantime, it will implement relevant actions promoting the ratification and implementation of the Convention 108+.
  • Quality and capacity and capacity of journalism and media processionals: This component aims to improve and enhance ethical and quality journalisms with a focus on conflict sensitive reporting. This will be achieved through capacity-building activities for media professionals and formal and informal educational means. Thus, the key outputs of this component will include the development of a curriculum on (Ethical and Conflict Sensitive) Journalism to be introduced at journalism faculties of Azerbaijani universities; and finally increasing the knowledge and understanding of online and offline media professionals on ethical standards and rules when covering gender, children, as well as conflicts and political events.
  • Capacity building and awareness raising: This component aims to increase knowledge and awareness on requirements and standards on access to public information, as well as the Convention on Access to Official Documents. This will be implemented through capacity-building and awareness-raising activities for media representatives, civil society and respective national authorities. The main outputs of this component will include development of guidebooks, and training programmes.

All activities will be implemented in consultation and co-operation with relevant public authorities, Council of Europe consultants, media professionals and local civil society organisations.