The government owns three periodicals: Azerbaijan (also known as “Azerbaycan” in Azeri), Khalg Gazeti, Respublika, and the Russian-language publication Bakinskiy Rabochiy.
Media assets
Publishing: Azerbaijan, Khalg Gazeti, Respublika, Bakinskiy Rabochiy
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
The National Assembly of Azerbaijan operates the newspaper Azerbaijan. The Presidential Administration founded Khalg Gazeti and Respublika, according to the most recent information obtained by journalists covering Azerbaijan interviewed for this report in March 2024. The Presidential Administration also manages Bakinskiy Rabochiy.
Source of funding and budget
The precise amount of funding these news outlets receive from the Azeri administration remains unclear due to its total lack of transparency. Journalists who cover Azerbaijan interviewed for this report suggest that while the outlets generate some income from ad sales, most of their funding, constituting over 50% of their total expenditure, is derived from government subsidies.
Editorial independence
According to Azeri journalists and experts interviewed for this report, state-run newspapers in Azerbaijan, such as Khalg Gazeti, Respublika, and Bakinskiy Rabochiy, all openly support President Aliyev and align closely with the government’s agenda.
No domestic statute or independent assessment/oversight mechanism to validate the independence of Azerbaijan, Khalg Gazeti, Respublika and Bakinskiy Rabochiy has been identified.
August 2024