On behalf of the staff of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I sincerely congratulate you on the "National Press Day" and wish you great success in your honorable and responsible activity for the development of our country.
145 years have passed since the creation of the “Akinchi” newspaper, the first sample of the Azerbaijani press, founded by the great thinker of his time Hasan bey Zardabi. The first edition of the newspaper was published on this very day in 1875. The Akinchi newspaper, with a total of 56 issues, left a great legacy behind and gave impetus to the publication of national democratic newspapers and magazines. 
The Azerbaijani press has gone through a rich and significant development. The press, which played an exceptional role in the formation of national identity, fostering patriotic feelings, promoting national and universal values, has made a great contribution to the struggle of our people for freedom and independence. According to the decree of the national leader Heydar Aliyev of August 6, 1998, the abolition of censorship laid the foundation for a new stage in the development of our national press. Currently, this policy aimed at the activities and development of free media in the country is being successfully continued by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliyev. Providing one-time assistance to the media, improving living conditions for journalists, building and commissioning housing for them are a vivid example of the special care given to this field. Today there are hundreds of different mass media channels - newspapers, magazines, news agencies and TV and radio companies in our country. Today a large army of journalists exist in Azerbaijan.
Journalism is a very important, interesting and complex profession that requires not only deep knowledge, but also special talents. Being a journalist also means being an impartial information guide. In today's rapidly changing world, it is very difficult to be guide in the sea of information. The pen owner who wants to achieve this must have his/her own style in the texts, an objective view of events and, most importantly, a civil position. Only professional journalists, dedicated to their profession, who are always able to lead in all difficult moments, who work tirelessly and provide our society with truthful information, can handle this. Although the activities of the press in different parts of the world are different, its basic principle remain the same - to provide the public with truthful information. Today, hundreds of journalists celebrating their professional holidays at work providing information to the public, as well as demonstrating their civic stance, carry out their mission to spread the truth about Azerbaijan to the world community.
Once again, I sincerely congratulate you on your professional holiday and wish you inexhaustible energy and success in your responsible and extremely honorable activity, which requires a lot of self-sacrifice.

Regards,
 
Anar Guliyev
Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture