Azerbaijan, Turkey Bolster Media Collaboration to Combat Disinformation

In a significant step towards strengthening media cooperation between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, Ahmad Ismayilov, Executive Director of Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency, met with Burhanettin Duran, Head of Communications of Türkiye’s Presidency, to discuss collaborative efforts in combating disinformation across the region.

The high-level meeting, reported by The Caspian Post, emphasized the strategic media partnership between the two nations and highlighted ongoing initiatives to counter the growing challenge of fake news and manipulative content in the digital age.

Both officials acknowledged that disinformation has become a critical concern affecting not only public opinion but also regional stability across the Caucasus and wider Turkic world. The discussions focused on developing more robust institutional frameworks to address these challenges through coordinated action.

“The rapid proliferation of false narratives in today’s interconnected information landscape requires a unified approach,” a statement from Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency noted. This sentiment reflects the increasing recognition among governments worldwide that disinformation campaigns can undermine national security interests and social cohesion.

The Türkiye-Azerbaijan Media Platform was specifically highlighted during the talks as an effective mechanism for fostering joint activities and facilitating prompt information exchange between the two countries. Established as part of the growing strategic alliance between Baku and Ankara, the platform serves as a foundation for developing common positions on media-related issues affecting both nations.

This meeting comes at a time when both countries have been working to strengthen their media sectors against external influences. Azerbaijan, having recently regained control over territories in Karabakh following the 2020 conflict with Armenia, has been particularly focused on countering what it perceives as biased international reporting and disinformation campaigns regarding the region.

Türkiye, meanwhile, has developed extensive experience in media regulation and anti-disinformation measures, having implemented significant legislation to combat false information on social media platforms and digital news outlets in recent years.

The officials expressed interest in extending these collaborative efforts to include other Turkic states, potentially creating a broader network for information sharing and joint media initiatives across Central Asia and the Caucasus region. Such expansion would align with both countries’ foreign policy objectives of strengthening cultural and political ties among Turkic nations.

Media experts note that this partnership reflects a growing trend of regional powers developing coordinated strategies to address information challenges. Dr. Farid Shafiyev, Chairman of the Center of Analysis of International Relations in Azerbaijan, previously commented that “information security has become as important as traditional security concerns in today’s geopolitical environment.”

The collaboration also represents a practical application of the “Two States, One Nation” philosophy that has guided Azerbaijan-Türkiye relations in recent years, extending this principle into the domain of media and information policy.

Both countries have pledged to implement concrete measures following the meeting, including joint training programs for journalists, coordinated fact-checking initiatives, and potential regulatory harmonization to address cross-border disinformation challenges.

As digital platforms continue to transform how information is shared across borders, the Azerbaijan-Türkiye media partnership may serve as a model for similar regional initiatives aimed at promoting information integrity while preserving freedom of expression in an increasingly complex media landscape.

The officials concluded their meeting by reaffirming their commitment to maintaining regular consultations on media-related issues as part of their broader strategic partnership.