Press Freedom President Aliyev signed a decree abolishing official military censorship. He called for the creation of an alternative body to protect state secrets. No law currently regulates radio or TV, though licensing of broadcast media was proposed by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Authorities still retain leverage over individual journalists and independent media outlets.
Thirty-five journalists who attempted to cover a banned demonstration in September were beaten, and many had equipment confiscated. Several publications were threatened with fines under the criminal code. During presidential elections, electronic and print media devoted most coverage to the ruling party. The most important medium is the first state TV channel, AzTV-1, which is the only broadcaster received throughout the republic. It generally provided free access to all candidates, as required by the election law.