BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 12. Some French media
outlets have published one-sided, manipulative, and misleading
materials regarding an ordinary criminal incident, which is typical
of everyday life in France, the Media Development Agency of the
Republic of Azerbaijan said.


"Some French media outlets have published one-sided,
manipulative, and misleading materials regarding an ordinary
criminal incident, which is typical of everyday life in France.
These materials are clearly aimed at distorting public opinion and
damaging Azerbaijan’s international image.


The selective framing before and after the court proceedings, as
well as the sensationalism surrounding the trial, clearly
demonstrate that the incident is being presented within a
politically motivated context.


The unsuccessful attempts by certain French media organizations
to politicize this criminal case in a biased manner and to involve
the names of some Azerbaijani officials are part of a systematic
smear campaign against our country.


It is beyond doubt that the particular “sensitivity” shown by
media outlets such as Revue21, TV5 Monde, Le Figaro, and Le
Monde—which are known for their proximity to French state circles
and for previously running similar campaigns against
Azerbaijan—stems from the malicious intent of certain groups that
are concerned about Azerbaijan’s growing international
influence.


These media outlets, by deliberately and grossly violating
universally accepted standards of journalistic ethics, once again
demonstrate that they are instruments of an organized political
campaign.


While a crime is an act that entails individual responsibility,
the fact that a self-proclaimed democratic state emphasizes the
perpetrator’s national affiliation more than the act itself
indicates not the rule of law, but rather the promotion of
stereotypes and discrimination.


We assess the smear campaign launched by certain French media
outlets against Azerbaijan, based on manipulated information, as a
targeted propaganda effort and strongly condemn such actions as
incompatible with the principles of professional journalism," the
statement reads.