Chief editors of two newspapers are detained in Baku for extortion, the IA Regnum informed on 11 March. A criminal case was initiated under the blackmail Article against chief editor of the “Dovlat ganunlari” (state laws) newspaper, Nazim Guliyev and his colleague from the “Respublika ganunlari” (republican laws) newspaper, Zamanat Azimov.

The Associated Press agency informs it has sued artist Shepard Feiry in the Manhattan court accused by them of illegal use of Barack Obama’s photo.
Feiry painted Obama’s portrait in 2008 using the photo made by the AP request in 2006.

Any changes to the Constitution of the Azerbaijan Republic can be adopted only at the will of Azerbaijani people, www.day.az informs referring to US ambassador to Azerbaijan, Ann Dersy stated to journalists on Thursday.

A three-storey building from light metal constructions will be built for the "ATV International". The channel will start functioning only after that. The new building is planned to be constructed in 2-3 months, as Natig Ibrahimov, the vice-president of the TV and Radio Company “Azad Azerbaijan” said to www.mediaforum.az.

Journalists held a picket in front of the city court building in Alma-Ata, the “Interfax” informs. Reporters of various Kazakh editions protested against the resolution on imposing a penalty of 30 mln tenge ($ 200 thousand) on the “Tasdzargan” newspaper in favor of MP, Romin Madinov. The MP felt offended being named a “large land-owner” in one of the opposition newspaper's articles. He demanded to repay the damage caused to his honor and dignity.

The “Reporters without borders” international organization has decided to hold the so-called “Day of Free Speech in the Internet”, the RIA Novosti informs. The action organizers are going to attract the public's attention to the fact that strict network censorship is observed in many countries of the world. The “Day of Free Speech in the Internet” will be held on 12 March, 2009.

The “Amnesty act” draft bill submitted by president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Milli Majlis MP, Mehriban Aliyeva will be discussed on 17 March, www.mediaforum.az informs quoting member of the Standing parliamentary commission on human rights policy and state construction, chair of the “Ana Vatan” Party, Fazail Agamali.

The McClatchy Co., the owner of the Miami Herald newspaper and a number of other editions has announced the staff reduction of 6 thousand people, the AFP informs. The decline of ad incomes and volatile financial situation caused the reduction.
The McClatchy Co. chief, Harry Pruitt also announced his wage cut by 15% and by 10 % of other leadership members. All the bonuses for the leadership staff are cancelled this year.

The New York Times Company (NYTC) owning The New York Times and 16 more editions has sold a part of its office building, The New York Times newspaper writes. Now the Company rents the sold premises. As a result of the deal, the NYTC could make $ 225 mln and plans to spend it on the liquidation of debts.

The “Osh-TV” and radio Company's chief operator, Bahadir Kenjebayev was beaten in Kyrgyzstan, the “Fergana.Ru” informed Sunday. The incident took place in Osh city on 7 March. As a result of the attack made at about 21:00 in Zaynabiddinov Street, the journalist got the brain concussion and numerous injuries, and was taken to a casualty department.

Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an interview to the “24” channel that Ankara would never pursue a policy conflicting with interests of Azerbaijan, the Turkish embassy to Azerbaijan informs.

Lawyer, Isahan Ashurov has lodged an appeal to the Azizbekov district to set free “Bizim yol” newspaper's writer, Mushvig Huseinov, over the state of health, www.day.az informs referring to the Reporters’ Freedom and Safety Institute.

Journalist of the Cumhuriyet newspaper, Mustafa Balbay, suspected of preparation of state overthrow, arrested in Turkey, the AFP informs. He was already arrested in July 2008 over the same case, however after questioning, he was set free. 24 more people were detained then together with him. Meanwhile, Balbay himself vigorously denies any links with plotters.

According to the alterations made in the legislation of the Azerbaijan Republic, foreigners and the persons having no higher education can't work as editors in mass media agencies. The alterations and annexes to Article 19 of the Law “On mass media” were approved on 6 March at the session of the Milli Majlis (parliament) of Azerbaijan.

Russian “RTR-Planet” will resume broadcasting in Tajikistan, IA “Asia-Plus” informs. According to the agency, Russian side agreed to the conditions of the Tajik “Teleradiokom” Company concerning rising of the tariffs for technical service. Earlier the RTR-Planet was cut off in the republic because of disagreements on the issue.