Rules of the Azerbaijan Media Centre

The Azerbaijan Media Centre provides space for all media events, and is open to everybody. To ensure our independence and maintain our non-political position, we have seven rules.

1. First, a disclaimer
Even if everybody is welcome, that does not mean we always agree with everything that is being said. Therefore, if you organize an event in the Azerbaijan Media Centre, you are requested to sign a so-called disclaimer, accepting that all views expressed during the event are those of the speakers and guests. And not those of the Azerbaijan Media Centre.

We do not accept responsibility or liability for things said at the Centre. And of course, press conferences have to be in line with Azeri legislation – which for instance means you cannot call for violence or illegal activities.

2. Who can organize a media event?
Everybody. Ministries, parliamentarians, local authorities, embassies, international organizations, political parties, non-governmental organizations, private companies, private persons and so forth. But the event should be accessible to the media.

3. Can I determine who comes?
You are free to invite people to your event. But in the spirit of openness, we believe that media events / press conferences should be open to all journalists. That means that the event will be announced on our website, and information will be sent to registered journalists in our database and so forth.

Of course, we understand that you would like to know who attended your event. We therefore ask all journalists to register upon entry, and provide their name and the media outlet they work for.

4. Any exceptions?
Security of guests may require us to request registration in advance.

5. How about a debate?
We believe in promoting the culture of debate and discussion. It is so important to us, that we regularly organize debates ourselves. But we cannot do everything ourselves, and if you want to organize a debate in the Media Centre, we welcome that too.

However, we think the debate should be:
(1) Well organized;
(2) Moderated by a professional;
(3) With a socially relevant topic;
(4) Which could generate public interest.
Thus, to ensure the quality of debates, we apply these criteria.

6. Same rules for a round table meeting?
No, a round table meeting is different. While a debate is a public / media event, a round table discussion tends to be invitation-only, and tends to be more 'internal'. For that, we have different rules. See the next point.

7. Are internal meetings possible?
Off course, the space in the Centre can also be used for internal meetings – board discussions, strategy meeting of a non-governmental organization, project progress meetings, product presentations to clients, and so forth. In this case we will not invite journalists and it will be considered a 'closed' event', only attended by those invited by you.

Because we are all about openness, we have one important condition for such 'closed' meetings': they should be non-political and in line with our own mission.