State-run AzTV chief slams Russia Rovshan Mammadov on anti-Azerbaijani sentiments in Russian media/ VIDEO

The head of the state television channel Azerbaijan Television (AzTV) Rovshan Mammadov, who acts as a presenter on Həftə (Week) information and analytical programme on AZTV channel on October 23 sharply criticized not only the behaviour of the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran, but also the policy pursued by certain circles of our northern neighbour, Russia.

He drew attention to the fact that Russian state-run TV channels persistently continue to call an integral part of the territory of Azerbaijan - Karabakh as the separatist name - "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic", use the separatist name "Artsakh", etc.

“Observations of recent years openly show that anti-Azerbaijani sentiments have again resurfaced in the Russian media. But this game of muscles should not be directed against other countries, against their interests. The fact that there are many Armenians in the Russian media is an irrefutable. But Russian official circles seem to be about to make a storm in a teacup. Is Russia jealous of Azerbaijani-Turkish relations? Azerbaijan has raised the level of relations with Russia to a strategic one. The Azerbaijani public is concerned that the Armenian lobby in the Russian media is conducting anti-Azerbaijani propaganda,” R. Mammadov emphasised.

He also said that until today, the Azerbaijani media had a balanced approach to covering the war in Ukraine, did not criticize any of the parties, and showed objectivity.

“The whole world is criticizing Russia for its actions. Russia is conducting a violent, occupational war in Ukraine, openly showing disrespect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine. And the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya to the territory of Russia is a fact of occupation, an open and gross violation of international norms, an occupation!

Our Russian "colleagues" wanted to hear these words? You are welcome to hear these words. The bombing of peaceful Ukrainian cities and towns is a war crime, a crime against humanity. The Russian media speak for the money of the Armenian Diaspora!” R. Mammadov stressed.

He reminded Russian pro-Armenian journalists of the words of Russian President Vladimir Putin: “If Armenia does not come to terms with reality, it will be suicide for it” - and asked a reasonable question why the Russian media have changed their vector and are now conducting frantic anti-Azerbaijani propaganda? Why do Russian state TV channels give the floor to ardent opponents of Azerbaijan, who make provocative statements on the air? Why does this flow of biased anti-Azerbaijani broadcasts and statements not stop? And how does this fit in with the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Russia?

During the program, the hope was expressed that the pro-Armenian and Armenian representatives of the Russian media would be removed from the media and the anti-Azerbaijani propaganda of the “Armenian Army in the Russian media” would stop, as it only harms the bilateral relations of our countries.