Israel vs Iran: MEDIA demands retraction, apology from CNN Official statement/PHOTO

Azerbaijan's Media Development Agency (MEDIA) has demanded that CNN retract and apologise for a report alleging that Israel used Azerbaijani territory during its war with Iran, stating that the claims are a "gross information manipulation" that threatens regional security.

In a statement issued on June 5, the agency criticised the U.S.-based broadcaster for publishing the claims based on unnamed sources without presenting supporting evidence, Caliber.Az reports. 

MEDIA considers the dissemination of “such fake news by a transnational media group without any supporting facts to be gross information manipulation.”

“By spreading disinformation, CNN, in disregard of media ethics and the fundamental principles of professional journalism [such as maintaining balance in news reporting], has not only tarnished its reputation but has also acted as a propaganda tool in hybrid warfare,” the agency said. 

The report constitutes a political provocation directed against Azerbaijan and regional security, aimed at misleading the international community, undermining regional stability, and creating tensions between states, the agency said.

“The disinformation disseminated by CNN constitutes a political provocation directed against Azerbaijan and regional security as a whole; the dissemination of this information is intended not only to mislead the international community, but also to undermine regional stability and inter-state relations, as well as to create tension in the region,” it said. 

The agency reiterated that Azerbaijani officials have repeatedly stated that the country's territory has never been used against Iran under any circumstances.

“It has been repeatedly stated at the highest official level that the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan has never, under any circumstances, been used against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and such fabricated, biased information constitutes gross manipulation,” the statement said.

MEDIA described the allegations as fabricated and biased, arguing that they amount to a deliberate attempt to manipulate public opinion.

"We demand that CNN, which is threatening regional security and attempting to mislead public opinion by disseminating material that contravenes the principles of media ethics and journalistic professionalism, issue a retraction and apologise to Azerbaijan," the statement reads.

By Sabina Mammadli