Azerbaijan declares Iranian media outlets illegal in reciprocal move STATEMENT

Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency (MEDIA) has announced restrictions on the activities of two Iranian media outlets in the country after Iran included Azerbaijan’s state television channel AzTV among organisations designated as “hostile media.”

In a statement, the agency said it was surprised by the decision of Iran’s Intelligence Ministry to place certain foreign media organisations, including AzTV, on the list and to threaten criminal liability for individuals cooperating with them, Caliber.Az reports.

"The inclusion of certain foreign media organisations, including the Republic of Azerbaijan’s state television channel ‘AzTV,’ on the list of ‘hostile media organisations’ compiled by the Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the threat of criminal liability for individuals collaborating with these organisations, are surprising. The Republic of Azerbaijan, committed to protecting the professional activities of journalists, also ensures the application of the principle of reciprocity," the agency said. 

The agency said Azerbaijan would apply the principle of reciprocity under Article 11.4 of the country’s Media Law, which allows special restrictions to be imposed on journalists from countries that introduce similar restrictions on Azerbaijani journalists included in the national Media Register.

Under the measure, the activities of Iran’s Sahar television channel and Mehr news agency, as well as representatives of the two organisations, have been declared illegal in Azerbaijan, the agency said.

The agency accused the outlets of acting contrary to the country’s national interests and engaging in propaganda against its sovereignty, constitutional order, territorial integrity and national security.

The Media Development Agency called on media organisations and journalists operating in Azerbaijan to refrain from cooperating with the two Iranian outlets and their representatives.

"We call on all media organisations and journalists working in the Republic of Azerbaijan to refrain from cooperating with the aforementioned media organisations and their representatives, who act contrary to our country’s national interests," the statement reads.

It said international media cooperation should be based on mutual respect and respect for the professional independence of journalists.

"We reiterate that international cooperation in the media sector must be conducted solely on the basis of mutual respect and the professional independence of journalists," the statement concluded. 

By Sabina Mammadli