 Azerbaijan, journalists fight against new media registry. Independent journalists in Azerbaijan are demanding the abolition of a newly created registry, which they say prevents them from doing their job. While it is not clear whether registration on the register is mandatory or voluntary, journalists argue that its very existence further undermines press freedom in a country that already has one of the world's lowest levels of media freedom. In late January, a group of about 40 Azerbaijani journalists, editors and lawyers released a statement calling for the abolition of the state media registry, which went into effect in October in accordance with a law passed in December 2021. Independent journalists said in a statement that media has already denied registration to more than 10 publications that have been operating for a long time, citing technical reasons. The statement explains the consequences for those who do not register. Now, unregistered media and journalists are not even allowed to open parliamentary sessions. In the regions of Azerbaijan, the professional activities of journalists are hindered, the statement said. Journalists started a We Don't Want License Media campaign against the on-media law. An expert on media law clarified the questions about why the topic was brought up now. The lawyer said that the new campaign has started now because the executive director of the media development agency, Ahmad Ismailov, made a statement on this issue. Ismailov said that if some media has not passed the register, then it does not exist. When a citizen is not given an identity card, he does not exist, but what if he kills a person who will be held responsible? Can charges be brought against? No. The government media, which opposes this entire campaign, will one day understand that we also want their well-being. We are against their writing to order. Journalists should not respond to those who criticise the government because journalists do not represent the government. For some reason, they think they represent the government. In a statement of Yeni Nesil, Union of Journalists Arif Aliyev says that the registry has started to cause serious concerns. He said that the government and state bodies themselves are now embarrassed by the law. There are more dangerous points in the registry. The bill should be cancelled. Campaigns related to the registry should also continue. If the bill remains in this state, it will create many problems for journalists. The government and society said Aliyev. The head of Turan Information Agency Mehman Aliyev said that it is difficult to say what awaits the independent media and journalists after March. It is not clear what steps they will take.