The Azerbaijan–Georgia Media Forum opened this week in Baku, convening media leaders, journalists, policymakers, and academic experts for a comprehensive examination of the region’s information environment at a time when the South Caucasus faces mounting pressures from disinformation, technological disruption, and evolving security risks. Held under the theme “The Role of Media in Forming Public Trust and Information Security,” the forum aims to reinforce cooperation between the two neighboring countries and establish shared approaches to media development.
Organized by Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency, the event brought more than 40 media representatives and analysts from Georgia to the Azerbaijani capital. According to Saida Shafiyeva, Head of the Agency’s Communications Department, the gathering reflects both governments’ recognition that information security is no longer a domestic matter but a regional one. She described the forum as a “priority platform” for aligning media strategies, deepening inter-agency coordination, and enhancing trust across the information space.
The opening ceremony featured remarks from Ahmad Ismayilov, Executive Director of the Media Development Agency, who pointed to the increasingly complex challenges facing journalists. He emphasized the need for sustained institutional partnerships, more rigorous professional standards, and credible mechanisms that ensure accurate public communication amid an expanding digital media landscape.
A Focus on Strengthening the Media Ecosystem
The forum’s first major panel discussion, moderated by Fazil Novruzov of the Audiovisual Council, centered on shoring up the media ecosystem to withstand coordinated disinformation efforts. Panelists noted that misleading narratives targeting both Azerbaijan and Georgia have grown significantly in recent years, often spreading through loosely regulated platforms and cross-border networks.
Georgian journalist and program host Ioane Shaishmelashvili described disinformation as a phenomenon “deepening every year,” saying that fabricated content circulates with unprecedented speed and minimal accountability. He argued that the scale of the problem now demands firmer legislative measures and more vigilant enforcement to prevent the escalation of harmful narratives. “National security lies at the core of this issue,” he warned.
From the Azerbaijani perspective, ARB 24 Executive Director Radik Ismayilov stressed that collaboration between news organizations of both countries is crucial, as malign information operations increasingly exploit regional vulnerabilities. Strengthening editorial cooperation and sharing verification practices, he said, would allow journalists to better identify manipulative content and protect audiences from misinformation.
Legal aspects were addressed by Adil Taghiyev, Head of the Legal Department at the Media Development Agency, who outlined current frameworks governing media activity and highlighted the responsibilities imposed on outlets in cases involving deliberate dissemination of false information. He emphasized that clear legal procedures and their consistent application remain essential for ensuring accountability within the media sector.
AI, Regulation, and the Transformation of Newsrooms
The conversation expanded into the role of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. Georgian Public Television journalist Ramila Aliyeva examined both the opportunities and vulnerabilities associated with AI-powered tools. While acknowledging that AI can streamline production and improve access to information, she cautioned against unregulated usage.
According to Aliyeva, unlicensed or unreliable AI systems pose a risk of amplifying inaccuracies, especially when used to automate translations or generate content without human oversight. She called for regulatory mechanisms that ensure AI tools meet professional standards and urged newsrooms to maintain rigorous editorial control over all AI-assisted outputs.
Panelists also discussed how technological shifts have redefined public engagement with news. With social media platforms becoming primary sources of information for much of the population, speakers warned that journalists must adapt to fast-paced digital environments without compromising accuracy or credibility. This adaptation, they noted, will require new skills, updated editorial guidelines, and continuous professional training.
Raising Professional Standards and Public Media Literacy
The forum’s second major session focused on boosting professional competencies among journalists and expanding media literacy within society. Laman Isgandarova, a department director at the Media Development Agency, outlined the organization’s ongoing initiatives, among them an annual Media Literacy Week, public education programs, and efforts to embed media literacy into school curricula. Such initiatives, she said, aim to equip citizens with the skills to discern reliable information from manipulative content.
Academics added their perspectives on the societal dimension of information security. Vuqar Zifaroglu, Dean of the Journalism Faculty at Baku State University, argued that media literacy must become a universal skill, extending far beyond the professional sphere. He noted that in an era defined by rapid digital communication, individuals lacking basic media literacy face greater risks of exposure to misleading or polarizing content.
From Georgia, Maya Pachkoria, Director of the Multimedia Center at Grigol Robakidze University, described the proliferation of fake news and media manipulation as challenges that undermine social trust and democratic processes. She emphasized that the long-term solution lies in strengthening responsible journalism, with universities and media institutions playing a decisive role in fostering ethical reporting and critical thinking.
Toward a Shared Regional Approach
Throughout the forum, speakers repeatedly emphasized the need for Azerbaijan and Georgia to adopt coordinated strategies addressing media development, information security, and public education. Attendees noted that the two countries share similar vulnerabilities ranging from external disinformation campaigns to internal gaps in digital literacy and that solutions are more effective when developed jointly.
As the forum continues with bilateral meetings and expert exchanges, organizers say the goal is to build a more resilient regional media landscape that can withstand emerging threats while maintaining public trust. With the South Caucasus undergoing rapid political, social, and technological changes, participants argue that sustained collaboration is no longer optional but a prerequisite for safeguarding the information space shared by both nations.
