Baku: Azerbaijan has introduced new requirements for the operation of foreign media outlets within its borders. After the branches and representative offices of foreign media entities are registered with the state, the designated authority must inform the relevant executive body within three working days, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, this update is part of the proposed amendment to the “Media Law,” which was discussed during a meeting of the Human Rights Committee of the Milli Majlis, Azerbaijan’s Parliament. The draft amendment states that once registered, branches and representative offices of foreign media entities must apply to the designated authority within seven working days to be included in the Media Registry.

Failure to comply with these requirements, or removal from the Media Registry, can lead to the liquidation of the respective branch or representative office. Additionally, in such cases, access to the internet information resource of the branch or representative office may be immediately restricted by the designated authority.

Furthermore, journalists working in these foreign media branches in Azerbaijan, as well as foreign journalists, will not be included in the Media Registry. The proposed changes also include an amendment to the ‘Law on State Registration of Legal Entities and State Registry,’ which reinforces that non-compliance with the ‘Media Law’ will serve as grounds for the liquidation of the concerned branch or representative office.