BAKU. - Azerbaijani government will grant free apartments to journalists, says BBC.

Critics, as well as human rights activists, see this as another tactic to tighten state control of the media. They view this as a bribe, threatening the freedom of press and making it harder for the journalists to challenge the authorities. 

The government says it aims to provide social protection for those who need it. According to the president, the journalists have the right to write what they want. 

Ali Hasanov, an official representative, also urged journalists to be patriots, supporters of the state. According to Mr. Hasanov, every journalist must "support national and spiritual values and advocate
the country." 

Samir Ahmedbeyli, director of the Institute for War and Peace Reporting in Azerbaijan, said that the call for journalists to be patriotic is an effective way to get the media to support the government, especially in the face of the draconian libel laws.