Joint session of the standing committees of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan Republic on human rights, legal policy and state building, issues of science and education and culture on 22 December.

Discussed was the Draft “On public television”.

Chairman of the standing committee on human rights Sirus Tebrizli noted that President Heydar Aliyev undertook a number of significant steps in the field of development of democracy, ensuring freedom of speech and press in Azerbaijan, renewal of our country. The mentioned Draft was also one of these steps of the ex-President. In addition, adoption of the Draft “On public television” is one of the obligations the Republic took before Council of Europe.

Then, head of the working group Rizvan Jabiyev spoke of the Draft. In the first hearing, there were made serious critical remarks and proposals, he said. The working, having considered the remarks made certain amendments. While preparing the Draft, attentively was studied the experience of the western countries, as well as of Turkey and Russia in this sphere. The project was amended with a new chapter connected with management of the public broadcasting. The said chapter points the rules of definition and approval of the Council of broadcasting management and director general, their power and other aspects. The new version was given high assessment by the Council of Europe.

Parliamentarians, specialists and the invited told their suggestions. After the voce-speaker Govhar Bakhshaliyeva gave her recommendations on the Draft, it was decided to submit the document to the consideration of Parliament.

The session was also attended by deputy speaker of Azerbaijan Parliament, chairman of the standing committee on the issues of security and defense Ziyafet Askerov, head of the Milli Majlis Administration Safo Mirzoyev.