Azerbaijan Media Agency Chief Highlights Strategies to Combat Disinformation

Azerbaijan Strengthens Media Cooperation with Turkic States to Combat Disinformation

Azerbaijan is intensifying its efforts to combat disinformation and fake news, positioning this initiative as a national priority, according to Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency Ahmad Ismayilov. Speaking at the 7th Meeting of Ministers and High Officials in Charge of Media and Information of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), Ismayilov outlined the country’s strategic approach to media development and international cooperation.

“Azerbaijan remains committed to professionalism, shared values, and the integrity of cooperation. The platform for interaction among Turkic states serves as the basis for advancing our interests and strengthening trust,” Ismayilov stated during the meeting.

The Azerbaijani government has placed significant emphasis on media development in recent years, actively fostering dialogue and promoting stronger international partnerships in this sphere. This commitment reflects growing regional concern about information security and the integrity of news reporting across the Turkic states.

The Shusha Global Media Forum has emerged as a cornerstone of Azerbaijan’s media diplomacy efforts. The forum, held in the culturally significant city of Shusha, has become an important platform for media professionals to discuss pressing industry challenges and opportunities.

“The Third Shusha Global Forum, held in July 2025, attracted a wide range of participants—representatives of leading mass media, experts, and analysts from various countries around the world, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and other states,” Ismayilov noted. The event focused on digital age challenges, methods to enhance information reliability, and new avenues for international media collaboration.

Azerbaijan has been particularly active in developing bilateral media relationships with other Turkic states. In 2025, the country organized media tours to historical cities in Uzbekistan and participated in the 2nd Central Asian Media Forum in Astana, Kazakhstan. These initiatives demonstrate a concerted effort to strengthen cultural and informational ties across the Turkic world.

The focus on combating disinformation comes at a critical time for the region. As digital platforms continue to reshape how information is created and consumed, Turkic states face growing challenges in maintaining information integrity and countering external influence operations.

Media development agencies across the region have increasingly recognized the need for coordinated approaches to media literacy, journalistic standards, and regulatory frameworks that can address the challenges of the digital age while preserving freedom of expression.

The Organization of Turkic States, which includes Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan as full members, with Hungary and Turkmenistan as observers, has become an important forum for policy coordination on media issues. The organization’s focus on media cooperation reflects the growing recognition that information security is an essential component of regional stability and development.

Regional experts suggest that this enhanced cooperation could lead to joint training programs for journalists, shared fact-checking initiatives, and potentially coordinated responses to cross-border disinformation campaigns that affect multiple member states.

For Azerbaijan, which has experienced significant challenges related to information warfare during and after the Karabakh conflict, building stronger media alliances with culturally and linguistically related nations represents both a practical and strategic priority.

As digital transformation continues to reshape the media landscape across Central Asia and the Caucasus, the collaborative frameworks being established among Turkic states may serve as models for other regional organizations seeking to address similar challenges in the evolving information environment.