“Freedom House” international human rights defense organization included Azerbaijan on its list of non-free countries in its annual report on freedom throughout the world.
Freedom of expression, as well as elections and other areas, is reflected in the section of the report where Azerbaijan is assessed. In the report it is noted that though the state’s constitution guarantees of freedom of expression, the government tries to limit this through all means. Radio and TV channels are under the government control, opposition and freelance media are facing pressure from the government, and some of leading journalists are persecuted by the government. Though the Public TV is founded, Freedom House writes that it is also under the state control and supports the state’s line, while independent channels are interfered with and their free operation is limited.