The statement declares that pressure and repression against journalists who disagree with the government continues.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have issued a statement condemning the Azerbaijani government’s harsh policy towards critical media and journalists. The statement notes that the Azerbaijani government is hindering the work of independent media outlets and persists in its pressure and repression against journalists who oppose it. Both organizations criticize the latest steps taken by the Azerbaijani government to exert more control over the information space and call for the immediate release of detained journalists.
“In recent weeks, the repression carried out by the Azerbaijani government has entered a new phase. Journalists Shahnaz Baylargizi, Nurlan Gahramanli, and Shamshad Agha have been arrested. The BBC News office in Baku has been closed. Currently, more than 25 media workers are behind bars in connection with three major criminal cases targeting AbzasMedia, Toplum TV, and Meydan TV. Most of them have been detained on charges of receiving financial funds (smuggling) from Western donors,” the joint statement says.
The statement also mentions the reduction of the staff of “BBC News Azerbaijani” and the revocation of the accreditation of a reporter from the U.S.-funded “Voice of America” radio.
The “Turan” Information Agency, established in 1990, also announced that it had suspended its activities due to ongoing financial difficulties. However, the agency’s director, Mehman Aliyev, later told “OC Media” that the closure of “Turan” was a “political order.”
“The government systematically silences critical voices and creates an environment where some media organizations can no longer function properly. There are almost no journalists left in the country, and financial resources have run out. It is clear that the government intends to cut off all forms of dissent. We call for the immediate release of all journalists who have been unjustly arrested and prosecuted for their journalistic activities in Azerbaijan,” said Ricardo Gutiérrez, Secretary-General of the EFJ.
Anthony Bellanger, Secretary-General of the IFJ, also called on the Azerbaijani government to stop its pressure on independent journalists and the media. “We are witnessing a wave of repression aimed at silencing and further restricting independent journalists and critical voices in the country. The Azerbaijani authorities must stop targeting media workers and immediately release all journalists who have been unjustly detained.”
Since November 2023, journalists have been detained in Azerbaijan. Among them are the heads and numerous staff members of critical media outlets such as Meydan TV, AbzasMedia, and Toplum TV. Journalists have been accused of smuggling, but they deny these charges, stating that they have been arrested for their journalistic activities and corruption investigations.
