Baku: The Press Council of Azerbaijan (PC) held its inaugural Board meeting of 2026, with a key focus on the preservation and correct application of the Azerbaijani language in the media.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the meeting was led by Press Council Chairman Rashad Majid, who highlighted President Ilham Aliyev's emphasis on safeguarding the mother tongue during his speech at the 80th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

Rashad Majid recalled a conference co-organized with the Media Development Agency on the proper use of Azerbaijani literary language norms in media. The conference's summary, prepared by the Agency, serves as an appeal for mother tongue protection and outlines a systematic approach to future work in this area. In line with President Aliyev's remarks, the Press Council's Language Commission composition has been restructured.

The newly appointed Chair of the Commission is Vusala Mahirgizi, CEO of APA Media Group. Other members include Editor-in-Chief of 'Xalq Q?zeti' Aflatun Amashov, Professor Gulu Maharramli of Baku State University, and several other prominent figures in Azerbaijani media. The Commission aims to address language issues, as emphasized by Rashad Majid.

Vusala Mahirgizi proposed joint Azerbaijani language training sessions for journalists, highlighting problems with language norms in media, such as issues with speech writing and punctuation. She stressed the importance of organizing educational sessions for journalists and editors.

Natig Mammadli, Deputy Executive Director of the Media Development Agency, pointed out similar language problems in online media, advocating for continuous awareness activities for Azerbaijani language development. Professor Gulu Maharramli and Professor Tofig Hajiyev also addressed language issues such as punctuation and the use of borrowed words.

After discussions, additional members were approved for the Commission, including Professor Tofig Hajiyev and several other notable figures. The Commission now comprises 12 members, with Vusala Mahirgizi as Chair, Seyfaddin Huseynli as Deputy Chair, and Nadir Yalchin as Secretary.