Space TV is a private television channel launched in 1997.
Media assets
Television: Space TV
State Media Matrix Typology: Captured Private (CaPr)
Ownership and governance
The channel is owned by the family of President Ilham Aliyev, specifically by Sevil Aliyeva. She is the daughter of former President Heydar Aliyev and the sister of the current President.
Source of funding and budget
There is no publicly available information about Space TV’s budget. However, Azeri journalists in exile interviewed for this report in March 2024 say that the channel receives substantial government funding.
Editorial independence
Space TV is recognized as a station that is completely aligned with the interests of the Azeri government, particularly demonstrating support for President Aliyev, as reported by journalists covering Azerbaijan interviewed for this report in March 2024.
No domestic statute or independent assessment mechanism to validate Space TV’s editorial independence has been identified.
August 2024