ANKARA, Türkiye, December 18. Azerbaijan knows
better than anyone what it means to fight disinformation, Javid
Musayev, Head of the Communication Policy Sector at the Department
for NGO Relations and Communications of the Presidential
Administration of Azerbaijan, said at the Turkic States Forum on
Combating Disinformation in Ankara, Trend reports.
"Today's forum in Türkiye is not merely an event; it is a
declaration, an action imbued with profound significance and
symbolic weight," Musayev stated, underscoring the unprecedented
challenges and transformations in the global information ecosystem,
which are driven by geopolitical upheavals, disinformation
campaigns, digital disorder, technological advancements, and the
rise of artificial intelligence.
He further emphasized that hybrid threats have become an
everyday reality, urging that every nation must develop robust
mechanisms to safeguard its informational space.
"This issue transcends national security," he warned. "The
security of every individual, every mind, every soul is now at
stake."
Musayev elaborated that information security has evolved from
being a mere component of national security to its very foundation.
"As forum coordinator Burak Özkemin astutely pointed out,
information security is now an inseparable part of genuine
sovereignty. He aptly referenced the events in Karabakh as a case
in point."
He then highlighted Azerbaijan’s unique experience in combating
disinformation, stating, "No one understands better than Azerbaijan
what it means to confront disinformation. We have experienced it
firsthand. Five years ago, as our forces began liberating occupied
territories, a parallel misinformation campaign was waged against
us in global media."
"The onslaught was relentless, spanning Western news outlets,
social media platforms, and fabricated narratives. Yet, we did not
yield. We stood our ground. And today, we possess the necessary
mechanisms and resources to counter these threats. We have learned
how to fight back effectively."
"We welcomed international media into our country, offering
journalists firsthand accounts of the reality on the
ground—devastated cities, ongoing shelling, and the plight of
civilians. Regular briefings provided accurate, chronological
updates, serving as one of the most potent tools in combating false
narratives," he added.
Musayev also highlighted President Ilham Aliyev’s proactive role
during the 44-day Second Karabakh War: "BBC, CNN, Euronews, Al
Arabiya, France 24, TRT, Anadolu Agency, they all heard the truth
firsthand. This is how a true Supreme Commander-in-Chief operates
in a hybrid war."
He emphasized the solidarity of media in fraternal countries,
especially Türkiye.
"We fought back against attacks shoulder to shoulder. And it was
then, in the midst of that struggle, that the idea of a joint
Azerbaijan-Türkiye information platform was born.
Five years have passed. We have achieved much together. Today,
we continue this work, deepening cooperation, strengthening the
platform, and developing shared mechanisms to combat
disinformation. I am convinced that creating such a platform within
the Organization of Turkic States is both timely and essential.
We are one family. We share a common history, culture, values,
and legal foundations. This is not merely an alliance; it is a gift
from God. And we must nurture it," he added.
Musayev noted that the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) has
made substantial progress in the media and information sectors. The
first media forum for OTS member states was held in Azerbaijan.
Today, for the first time, information and media ministers are
convening, joined by government officials, media representatives,
and experts.
"We must intensify our efforts to counter manipulation and
strengthen information resilience. But that alone is not enough. We
also need to teach 'media hygiene', the ability to read beyond
headlines, understand subtext, and identify sources. Critical
thinking is essential. Social media has become a battlefield, a
space for manipulation. If our society cannot distinguish truth
from falsehood, we risk losing the war for consciousness. And that
is why we are here.
Azerbaijan is emerging as a hub for global discourse. We
recently held the third global media forum in Shusha, a symbolic
city liberated from occupation. The venue itself sends a powerful
message. As President Ilham Aliyev said, the Organization of Turkic
States is our primary international body because it is our family:
'We have no other family. Our family is the Turkic world.' We are
convinced of this. These are not just words. This is a strategic
choice. And this choice is forever," he concluded.
Today, the Turkic States Forum on Combating Disinformation in
Ankara has started. The forum is attended by delegations from
Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Hungary,
Turkmenistan, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
The main objective of the forum is to establish a sustainable
and effective communication environment among Turkic states, as
well as to strengthen institutional cooperation in combating
disinformation threats.
Representatives of government bodies, leading media
organizations, and relevant experts are participating in the event.
The Azerbaijani side is represented by Executive Director of the
Media Development Agency Ahmad Ismayilov, Head of the Communication
Policy Sector of the Department for Cooperation with NGOs and
Communications of the Presidential Administration Javid Musayev,
Head of the Media Relations Sector of the same department Kamran
Hasanov, Chief Advisor of the Media Relations Sector Parvana
Ibrahimova, Deputy Executive Director of the Media Development
Agency Natig Mammadli, Deputy Director of Trend News Agency and
Head of Baku Network Elchin Alioghlu, Board Member of the Center
for Analysis of International Relations Javid Valiyev, and the Head
of the International Relations and Analytics Department of the APA
Information Agency Faig Mahmudov.
The forum will discuss the impact of disinformation on national
security, public opinion, and regional stability, as well as
practical mechanisms for joint actions in the modern information
environment. In line with the Information Action Plan of the OTS
for 2025, the forum will serve as a platform for the exchange of
knowledge and experience in the fields of media literacy,
information security, countering disinformation, responsible use of
digital technologies, international broadcasting, and the
development of the next generation of journalism.
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