The Law on Cinematography (No.515-IQ of July 3, 1998) defines the forms of state protection of cinematography and the rights and obligations of individuals and legal entities engaged in cinematographic activities. It also establishes legal guarantees for implementing state policy in protecting and developing cinematography, a specific art form. The primary forms of state support for cinematography are recognised as the following: the establishment of legislation in the field of cinematography, the preparation and implementation of the state program; ensuring the creative, educational, production, material and technical, scientific and information base of cinematography, training cinematographic personnel; state support for the protection and development of cinematography, creating conditions for the distribution and screening of films, holding film festivals and other promotional events; financing the production, distribution of movies made based on state orders and their participation in international film festivals, the filming of film chronicles and the state film fund; ensuring the creation of films for children and youth and debut films; ensuring international cooperation in the field of cinematography.
According to the Rules on Distribution and Demonstration of Films (No.165 of July 6, 2006), all films permitted for distribution and public exhibition in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan are registered with the Ministry of Culture and included in the State Film Register.
The Republic of Azerbaijan has seized European cooperation opportunities in film production through the Law on Accession to the European Convention on Joint Film Production (No.731-IQ of October 28, 1999). The Ministry of Culture is the authorised body of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the field of co-production provided for by the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-Production.
Law on Media (No.471-VIQ of December 30, 2021), which replaced the laws “On Mass Media” (1999) and “On Television and Radio Broadcasting” (2002), places significant emphasis on audiovisual media, including audiovisual media entities and fundamentals of their activities, broadcasters, providers, operators, broadcasting right, duties of the audiovisual broadcaster and requirements for audiovisual broadcasting, etc. The law establishes that the Audiovisual Council regulates audiovisual media in the Republic of Azerbaijan, defining its status, principles of operation, independence, areas of activity, duties and rights, management of its activities, and the terms of service for its members. Additionally, the law establishes rules for licensing in the audiovisual media sector.
According to the Rules for Maintaining the Media Register (No.1846 of September 26, 2022), the inclusion of journalists in the Media Register is voluntary. Media entities are entirely independent in issuing their licenses to journalists working with them. The law does not regulate the activities of social networks and bloggers, and Internet television stations are not required to obtain a license.
Law on Public Television and Radio Broadcasting (No.767-IIQ of September 28, 2004) outlines specific cultural obligations that public broadcasters must record performances, feature, documentary and cartoon films, serials, works of art, and important historical and cultural events on the works of Azerbaijani and world authors and keeping them in the golden fund of the public broadcaster for future generations; Programs should reflect national and spiritual values, national customs and traditions, all the diversity of culture and art. According to the Article “Requirements for public broadcasting programs” of this Law, “the programs prefer to broadcast film, TV, video, and radio products produced in Azerbaijan.”
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