Today the Expression Online initiative launched its website, Expressiononline.net, that makes it simple to stay up-to-date on preparations for the Internet Governance Forum and on situation around Internet freedom in Azerbaijan. The official launch took place at the press center of the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety.
According to Expression Online Coordinator, Rasul Jafarov, the objective of the campaign is to develop best practices and promote informed public dialogue for advancing internet access and freedom in Azerbaijan. In the meantime, the initiative aims at drawing international attention to Azerbaijan ahead of IGF 2012, which will be held in Baku in less than two months. Jafarov says that people are persecuted for critical opinions they express online, and the facts will be reflected in the Azerbaijan Internet freedom, which will be released in next month.
Expression Online member, IRFS chairman Emin Huseynov brought the participants’ attention to the Internet accessibility issues. Challenging the official statistics about 65% of population having access to internet, Huseynov said that only 40% of Azerbaijanis go online, 30% using dial-up connection. He said that Azerbaijan is behind the world and even neighbor countries including Armenia and Georgia in terms of Internet access and quality.
Unlike official IGF 2012 website, igf2012.com the Expression Online website will provide information about the IGF, Internet governance and internet freedom. The website will provide regular update on the situation with Internet freedom in Azerbaijan.. In the coming months, the website will be used to disseminate progress updates and project outputs.