IV Shusha Global Media Forum: How to restore trust in information in era of fake news Overview by Teymur Atayev

President Ilham Aliyev described the main idea of the IV Shusha Global Media Forum as creating an international platform for open dialogue among representatives of the global media community on the most pressing issues of our time, as well as introducing foreign journalists to Karabakh and the city of Shusha.

The moderator of the event, Euronews television journalist Laura Buckwell, emphasized that this year's forum is taking place at a historic moment when information spreads faster than ever before.

According to her, earning trust is becoming increasingly difficult, as the modern era is characterized by widespread disinformation, polarization, the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), and the rapid development of digital platforms. That is why the theme of the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum is the mission of the media in promoting peace: restoring truth and rebuilding trust.

In turn, Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan, described the media forum as a platform for exploring ways to preserve one of journalism's most important values—truth and facts—as a means of countering disinformation campaigns. In this context, information communication has become particularly significant, as conflicts today unfold not only on the battlefield but also in the media space.

These issues were discussed in detail during the panel sessions, where participants emphasized, among other things, that the rapid development of AI technologies has brought not only new opportunities to the information environment but also serious risks. In particular, the widespread use of deepfake technology makes verifying the authenticity of information even more essential.

In other words, the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum brought to the forefront one of the key issues of our time—how to counter fake news while at the same time providing the international community with objective information.

However, this issue has always remained relevant, particularly in the ideological sphere. Thus, as far back as 2003, in his address to the participants of the II Eurasian Media Forum, National Leader Heydar Aliyev, noting the increased responsibility of the media, which plays “a leading role in the formation of a new universal mentality" emphasized the importance of media representatives' commitment to objective coverage of events and facts.

Heydar Aliyev substantiated his position by pointing to the longstanding and blatant injustice of foreign media toward Azerbaijan. He stated that despite the fact that the country had been subjected to military aggression by Armenia, resulting in the occupation of 20 per cent of its territory and the displacement of nearly one million refugees and internally displaced persons, “Azerbaijan, […], suffers from terrorism and separatism, from indifference of the world community to its problems, from double standards, and the malicious position of mass media.”

However, the anti-Azerbaijani line pursued by biased foreign media not only failed to weaken but continued to intensify, clearly indicating that such narratives were being supported by interested states.

In 2024, Ilham Aliyev emphasized the need to ensure security on the ideological front, noting that "ideological provocations against us are continuing." At the same time, the leader stressed that although these attempts have failed due to the strong will and national spirit of the Azerbaijani people, this should not lead to complacency. On the contrary, it remains necessary to "always be ready for it and expose the dirty games played against us, as we have done officially, in the public space and in the media."

A year later, Aliyev, describing information as the main driving force behind international relations, public opinion, and economic development, drew attention to the transformation of the media environment, where deepfakes, hybrid threats, and other forms of manipulation have become commonplace.

In this regard, the president identified one of the key priorities as fostering reliable cooperation among the media organizations of the D-8 member states in order to create "a just, impartial, non-biased and responsible information space."

A similar approach has also been advanced within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS). It was therefore only natural that the Executive Committee meeting of the Alliance of Turkic News Agencies (ATNA), established in 2023, was held as part of the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum. During the meeting, it was emphasized that, alongside a shared history, language, and culture, the Turkic world represents a vast space founded on trust, cooperation, and joint development.

All of this clearly demonstrates how timely the successfully concluded 4th Shusha Global Media Forum proved to be. This was reflected in the high level of engagement shown by participants in every panel discussion without exception.

One of the most significant events for the forum participants was their visit to Khankendi and the Khojaly district, where they familiarized themselves with the ongoing construction and infrastructure projects and had the opportunity to see firsthand the historical evidence of these places' past. In particular, they visited the Memorial to the Victims of the Khojaly Genocide and the Victory Park built in Khankendi, a symbol of the restoration of historical justice. There is little doubt that, upon returning from Azerbaijan, the forum participants will convey truthful information to the people of their respective countries.

Thus, it is impossible not to emphasize the significance of President Ilham Aliyev's call in Shusha to rely only on our own strength and trust in our state. In this context, it becomes evident that our spiritual and ideological unity must never be allowed to be undermined. As the leader stressed: "If anyone thinks that the forces opposed to us will leave us alone, that will not happen—it will never happen." Therefore, the struggle to preserve our rights, national identity, and independence must be continuous.

So all that remains for us is to stay vigilant!