Azerbaijan state press
The Azerbaijani government directly controls four major periodicals: Azerbaijan (also known as Azerbaycan in Azeri), Khalg Gazeti, Respublika, and the Russian-language daily Bakinskiy Rabochiy.
Media assets
Publishing: Azerbaijan, Khalg Gazeti, Respublika, Bakinskiy Rabochiy
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
The Azerbaijani government continues to hold a tight grip over three principal print periodicals: Azerbaijan (also known as Azerbaycan), Khalg Gazeti, Respublika, and the Russian‑language Bakinskiy Rabochiy. As confirmed by investigative journalists in March 2024, the National Assembly runs Azerbaijan, while the Presidential Administration founded and still oversees Khalg Gazeti, Respublika, and Bakinskiy Rabochiy.
Source of funding and budget
Financial opacity remains the norm. Outside estimates from journalists suggest that while these newspapers eke out some advertising revenue, over 50% of their budgets are subsidized by the government, though exact figures remain undisclosed.
Editorial independence
Experts and veteran journalists repeatedly underscore that these state‑controlled publications reliably echo President Aliyev’s line and lack independent editorial judgment.
No independent review or domestic legal safeguard exists to validate or promote editorial autonomy for Azerbaijan, Khalg Gazeti, Respublika or Bakinskiy Rabochiy.
August 2025