Baku: The Media Development Agency of Azerbaijan has voiced strong criticism towards the 2025 annual report on press freedom in Europe released by the Council of Europe's Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the agency labeled the report's assessments of Azerbaijan's media environment as one-sided and biased, particularly concerning recent amendments to the nation's media law.

The amendments, as explained by Azerbaijan's Media Development Agency, were introduced following recommendations from society and the media community, aiming to enhance the media landscape by protecting the information environment, strengthening the media brand, and improving the reputation of professional journalists. The agency emphasized that these amendments are intended to increase sensitivity and flexibility in state regulation to combat negative phenomena in the information space.

The agency contested the report's portrayal of changes affecting print media entities, clarifying that amendments include provisions against using misleading or unethical expressions in media names, a practice aligned with international standards. They asserted that these measures are in place to protect users' rights and the brand value of media entities.

Furthermore, the agency affirmed that Azerbaijan upholds freedom of expression and imposes no restrictions on journalists due to professional activities. They also stressed that all citizens are equally accountable under the law, irrespective of personal attributes, and dismissed claims of professional activities being linked to criminal charges as manipulative.

The Media Development Agency also highlighted the requirement for media entities, including foreign ones, to register in the Media Register, describing this as a technical enhancement for organizational efficiency. They reiterated that these provisions are based on analyses of existing practices and the unique role of information agencies.

Regarding previous criticisms about defamation legislation referenced in the report, Azerbaijan's Media Development Agency noted that their position was officially communicated in 2024. The agency expressed regret that official positions are often overlooked in favor of assumptions and subjective views, urging for a more fact-based approach in future reports.