The inclusion of some foreign media entities, including the Azerbaijan Republic’s state television channel AzTV, in the list of “hostile media organizations” by the Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the threatening of individuals cooperating with these entities with criminal liability, is surprising.
“Elchi” reports that this was noted in a statement issued by the Media Development Agency (MEDIA).
It was stated that, undoubtedly, the Republic of Azerbaijan, while remaining committed to the protection of the professional activities of journalists, also ensures the application of the principle of reciprocity.
“Thus, according to Article 11.4 of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan ‘On Media’, when special restrictions are imposed by other states on the professional activities of journalists included in the Media Registry, the same restrictions may be imposed in the Republic of Azerbaijan on journalists of the state that applied those restrictions.
Taking into account the requirements of the relevant article and the principle of reciprocity, the activities of media entities operating against the national interests of the Republic of Azerbaijan and conducting propaganda against our country’s sovereignty, constitutional order, territorial integrity, and national security – the “Sahar” TV channel and the “Mehr” news agency, as well as the representatives of these entities – are considered illegal on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
We call on all media entities and journalists operating in the Republic of Azerbaijan to refrain from cooperating with the aforementioned media organizations and their affiliated representatives that act against our country’s national interests, and we reiterate that international cooperation in the field of media should be carried out only on the basis of mutual respect and the professional independence of journalists,” the statement emphasized.