The 151st anniversary of the national press is celebrated in Azerbaijan

Today marks the 151st anniversary of the founding of Azerbaijan's national press.

On this day in 1875, the first issue of the newspaper "Ekinchi" ("The Ploughman"), founded by Hasan bey Zardabi, was published.

Now July 22 is celebrated as National Press Day.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Azerbaijan's national press significantly influenced the formation of national consciousness, which, among other things, contributed to the creation of the first democratic republic in the entire East and the granting of women's suffrage as early as 1919, at the same time as, for example, in the United States.

Since the 1980s, the republic's national press has been fulfilling the mission of a free and democratic press, upholding the principles of freedom of speech and thought, serving as a source of timely information, and promoting the ideas of pluralism and tolerance.

By the decree of President Heydar Aliyev dated August 16, 1998, "On measures to ensure freedom of speech, thought, and information in the Republic of Azerbaijan," media censorship in the country was abolished. This decree gave a serious impetus to the accelerated development of the media and also defined the main directions of a broad state program aimed at improving their effectiveness.

Azerbaijan joined the global information system. As in many democratic countries, a Press Council was established in the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the law "On Mass Media" was adopted (December 7, 1999).

The widespread celebration of National Press Day in the country, the orders of President Ilham Aliyev on providing one-time financial assistance to the media, measures to strengthen the social protection of press workers, as well as awarding journalists with honorary titles for their contributions, are an integral part of state support.

Based on the orders of Ilham Aliyev regarding the strengthening of social protection for press workers, two residential buildings were constructed for journalists. In 2013 and 2017, the head of state participated in ceremonies for the provision of apartments to journalists on the occasion of National Press Day. In 2017, an order was signed for the construction of a third building for journalists.

The year 2020 became historic for our country. As a result of the 44-day Patriotic War, Azerbaijan put an end to the nearly 30-year occupation of its lands. Media representatives also played a significant role in achieving this victory: some by directly participating in combat operations, and