Azerbaijan and Turkey Launch Joint Media Commission to Combat Disinformation

Azerbaijan and Türkiye have taken a significant step toward strengthening their strategic partnership in the media sector by establishing a joint commission specifically designed to combat the growing threat of disinformation in the digital age.

At the recent Stratcom Summit 26, a landmark Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Department of Public Relations of the Presidential Administration of Türkiye, formalizing their commitment to greater collaboration.

The agreement was signed by Ahmad Ismayilov, Executive Director of Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency, and Burhanettin Duran, Head of the Department of Public Relations of the Turkish Presidential Administration, following productive bilateral discussions.

The primary focus of the newly established commission will be fighting disinformation through coordinated efforts between the two nations. Both parties acknowledged that the rapid transformation of the global information landscape has created unprecedented challenges, with fake news and manipulative content posing serious threats to public discourse and national security.

“The establishment of a Joint Working Commission represents a significant advancement in our media cooperation,” a source close to the negotiations told reporters. “This institutional framework will allow for more systematic approaches to identifying and countering disinformation campaigns targeting both countries.”

The memorandum outlines plans for deepening institutional cooperation, enhancing joint operational mechanisms, and strengthening coordination between Azerbaijan and Türkiye’s media regulatory bodies. This includes developing shared protocols for rapid response to disinformation, joint training programs for media professionals, and establishing common standards for fact-checking.

The partnership comes at a critical time for both nations, as the Caucasus region faces complex geopolitical challenges. Azerbaijan, following its reclamation of territories in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, has been particularly concerned about disinformation affecting public perception of post-conflict developments. Meanwhile, Türkiye continues to navigate complex relationships with neighboring states and Western partners.

Media experts view this collaboration as part of a broader trend of nation-states developing institutional defenses against information warfare. The Azerbaijan-Türkiye initiative is notable for its focus on creating permanent structures rather than ad-hoc responses to disinformation crises.

“What makes this agreement significant is its institutional character,” explained Dr. Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations in Baku. “Rather than simply coordinating on a case-by-case basis, the two countries are establishing permanent mechanisms that can evolve with the changing nature of information threats.”

The partnership builds upon the already strong “one nation, two states” relationship between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, which has historical, cultural, and linguistic foundations. This alliance has been particularly evident in recent years through economic cooperation, energy partnerships, and mutual diplomatic support on the international stage.

Beyond the immediate goal of countering disinformation, the joint media commission is expected to facilitate knowledge exchange on media development, digital transformation, and regulatory frameworks. It may also serve as a platform for promoting joint media projects that highlight shared cultural values and historical connections.

Regional analysts suggest this cooperation could potentially extend to other Turkic-speaking countries in the future, creating a wider network for information security across a significant portion of Eurasia.

The establishment of this joint commission reflects growing recognition globally that disinformation represents a significant threat to democratic institutions, social cohesion, and national security. As digital platforms continue to evolve, the Azerbaijan-Türkiye partnership represents one approach to developing institutional resilience against information manipulation.

Both countries have emphasized that their cooperation aims to protect the integrity of public discourse while respecting freedom of expression and journalistic independence—principles they consider essential to countering disinformation effectively.

The joint commission is expected to begin its work immediately, with technical committees focusing on specific aspects of media cooperation to be established in the coming weeks.