Economic strains compel Azerbaijan's final autonomous news outlet to momentarily halt operations.
Azerbaijan's Media Landscape Threatens Press Freedom
Baku, Azerbaijan - The nation's media landscape is experiencing a transformation that seems intent on fortifying the government's grip on information dissemination. Azerbaijan's notable independent news agency, Turan Information Agency, has been compelled to halt operations due to persistent financial hardships, dealing a heavy blow to independent journalism in the country.
In a statement issued on February 13, agency director Mehman Aliyev cited ongoing financial difficulties as the reason for this pause. While assuring a future relaunch in a "new format" aimed at addressing crucial issues and shaping public opinion, no specific timeline has been provided. Many Azerbaijani media observers have cast doubt on the feasibility of this revival.
Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani administration is enforcing stringent measures against Russian news outlet Sputnik, which operates in Baku. According to a February 13 report published by Caliber.az, an authoritative government-connected website, the government will expel the majority of Sputnik's approximately 40 Russian staff members in Baku. This action appears to be a reaction to the contentious matter surrounding the Russian accidental shoot-down of an Azerbaijani passenger plane in December.
The only Sputnik/RT representative left in Azerbaijan will need to comply with local legislature, suggesting heavy scrutiny. The report also hinted at certain adjustments for BBC reporters in Baku, although further particulars were not provided.
The closure of Turan, established in 1990, signifies a crippling setback for watchdog journalism in Azerbaijan. This is a continuation of the crackdown on independent media outlets, including Toplum TV and Abzas Media earlier in 2023 and 2024. The Turan Information Agency was viewed as the last bastion of independent journalism in Azerbaijan.
This unfolding situation takes place in the context of continuous attempts by the government to stifle independent journalists. On February 6, authorities detained two more journalists - Shamshad Agha, editor of the Argument.az news site, and Shahnaz Baylargizi, a Toplum TV journalist. Both are accused of smuggling and other financial crimes, with rights activists claiming that the detentions are politically motivated.
Following Baylargizi's arrest, Toplum TV announced their decision to discontinue operations within the country and continue their work in exile. The latest detentions bring the total number of political prisoners in Azerbaijan, as of May 2025, to 357, with 27 journalists and bloggers among them.
Gulnoza Said, coordinator of the Europe and Central Asia program at the Committee to Protect Journalists, highlighted the government's tactics by stating, "The arrest of veteran journalist Shahnaz Baylargizi underscores Azerbaijani authorities' exploitation of allegations of Western funding to silence leading independent voices." Such actions, according to Said, threaten the life of Mrs. Baylargizi, who is reported to be in delicate health.
In summary, the current state of independent journalism in Azerbaijan is marked by a severe repression of independent reporting. Key independent voices within the country are being silenced, leaving no critical in-country independent television, radio, or print media. The international community has condemned these actions, urging the release of detained journalists and an end to the crackdown on press freedom in the region.
- The closure of Turan Information Agency, a notable independent news agency in Azerbaijan, has raised concerns about the health of independent journalism in the country, particularly in the realm of general-news and opinion.
- The continuing financial difficulties faced by independent media outlets, such as Turan, and the enforced measures against foreign news outlets, like Sputnik, indicate a broader issue in the finance sector of Azerbaijan's media landscape.
- The recent detention of journalists Shamshad Agha and Shahnaz Baylargizi, along with the closure of Toplum TV and Abzas Media, shows a troubling trend in crime-and-justice and politics, as the government appears to be using these charges as a means to silence independent voices.
- The international community is keeping a close eye on the situation, with organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists issuing opinions on the matter, expressing concerns about the safety of journalists and the state of press freedom in Azerbaijan, which has implications for business and investment decisions.
