Baku: APA Media Group’s General Director, Vusala Mahirgizi, has emphasized the urgent need for establishing common media platforms for Turkic and Islamic states to promote fairer and more accurate news dissemination. Speaking at the “Stratcom Public Forum” in Baku, organized by the Directorate of Communications of the Turkish Presidential Administration, Mahirgizi highlighted the integral role of media in striving for global justice, though she expressed regret over the current state of media’s contribution towards this aim.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Mahirgizi voiced concerns over the media’s tendency to exacerbate conflicts and manipulate information rather than fostering justice. She recounted a conversation with a Western ambassador, who praised the Azerbaijani media’s balanced coverage of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Mahirgizi underscored that the media’s responsibility is to represent all sides of a conflict fairly, which is often neglected by international media, leading to biased narratives.

Addressing the role of local media, Mahirgizi criticized international media outlets for their biased reporting, particularly in conflicts involving Russia and Armenia. She pointed out the inconsistency in media coverage where Armenia’s role as an occupier in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict is downplayed compared to Russia’s role in Ukraine.

Mahirgizi also reiterated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s assertion that global influence should not be limited to a few powerful nations or media entities. She advocated for the dismantling of the information monopoly held by major international broadcasters, stressing the importance of local information sources for more truthful reporting.

Highlighting the significance of the Trkiye-Azerbaijan Joint Media Platform, Mahirgizi called for strengthening this initiative to prevent misinformation and build stronger media collaborations between the two nations. She suggested that such platforms should include Turkish and Azerbaijani experts to create comprehensive and culturally insightful news content.

Finally, Mahirgizi proposed the development of a broader media platform for Turkic and Islamic countries to combat information manipulation and ensure information security. She highlighted the challenges posed by social media, advanced software, and artificial intelligence, underscoring the need for unified efforts to protect identity and deliver unbiased news.