Ankara: In recent months, the number of false and distorted reports about Azerbaijan in the Turkish media has been increasing. It is now very difficult to believe that this is accidental or the personal initiative of any particular media outlet. Whereas in the past it was considered to be the provocation of a specific media organization or certain forces, today there is a belief that this activity is being carried out in a deliberate and targeted manner. Despite constant refutations and statements from the Azerbaijani side, the circulation of fake news continues.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, since the beginning of this year, false news about Azerbaijan has started appearing in the Turkish media at various times. At the beginning of this month, the ‘fake news campaign’ intensified further. In some Turkish media outlets and social media accounts, fabricated news was circulated under the headline, ‘If Israel is not at Eurovision 2026, then neither are we,’ allegedly on behalf of the Azerbaijani state. Initially, this information was published on little-known Turkish websites with low readership, but it soon spread to more widely read websites and television discussions. The Media Agency of Azerbaijan issued a statement declaring that the report was fake.
The spread of misinformation did not end there. During a press conference of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, the Organizing Committee again clarified that no such discussion or decision had taken place, further labeling the reports as fake news. However, Turkish newspapers Hrriyet and Sabah repeated the same falsehood, prompting Natig Mammadli, Deputy Director of the Azerbaijan Media Agency, to reiterate that such information contradicts bilateral relations and the concept of a joint media platform.
Surprisingly, the issue extended to fabricated reports concerning an event at the UN General Assembly. Certain Turkish media outlets and social media segments circulated fake photos and reports claiming that Azerbaijan’s official delegation attended Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech, which was boycotted by several countries. In reality, the UN debates are broadcast live, and Azerbaijan’s delegation was not present during the speech.
In Trkiye, a new body has been established under the Presidential Administration to combat disinformation, in addition to the existing Directorate General of Press and Information. Despite these institutions, there has been a noticeable silence from Turkish officials regarding the fake news about Azerbaijan. APA has inquired about this silence but has yet to receive a response.
Azerbaijan and Trkiye established a joint media platform aimed at preventing the spread of false reports. However, the continued dissemination of fake news by the Turkish media raises questions about the platform’s effectiveness and the credibility of Turkish media in Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani media, known for uncovering significant issues, continues to serve as a reliable source for foreign outlets. Despite this, Azerbaijan has respected red lines in state and media policy and urges Trkiye to approach the matter with similar sensitivity to avoid losing credibility in Azerbaijan.