BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. The Media
Development Agency of Azerbaijan (MEDIA) has reacted to Iran's
decision and considered the activities of some Iranian media
entities illegal.
This is reflected in the agency's statement regarding the
inclusion of some foreign media entities, including AzTV, in the
list of "hostile media organizations" by the Ministry of
Intelligence of Iran and the threat of criminal liability to
persons cooperating with these entities.
The statement noted that Azerbaijan, in addition to being
committed to protecting the professional activities of journalists,
also ensures the application of the principle of reciprocity. The
statement pointed out that, according to Article 11.4 of the law
"On media", if special restrictions are imposed on the professional
activities of journalists included in the Media Register by other
states, the same restrictions may be imposed on journalists from
that state in Azerbaijan.
MEDIA emphasized that, taking into account the relevant
provisions of the law and the principle of reciprocity, the
activities of the Iranian "Sahar" TV channel and the "Mehr" news
agency, as well as the representatives of these media entities,
which operate contrary to the national interests of Azerbaijan and
conduct propaganda against the country's sovereignty,
constitutional order, territorial integrity and national security,
are considered illegal.
The agency called on all media entities and journalists
operating in Azerbaijan to refrain from cooperation with those
media organizations and their related representatives that operate
against the national interests of the country.
The statement also noted that international cooperation in the
media field should be carried out only on the basis of the
principles of mutual respect and professional independence of
journalists.
