Claims circulated by a YouTube channel operating from France and specializing in systematic disinformation against Azerbaijan that Soyudlu village in Gadabay district and surrounding settlements would be evacuated for gold mining are entirely unfounded and constitute another attempt to manipulate public opinion, the Media and Broadcasting Council of Azerbaijan said in a statement on Sunday, Report informs.
The statement noted that presenting fabricated and rumor-based information as a decision adopted at the state level was part of a multi-stage disinformation campaign aimed at creating public alarm, undermining trust in government institutions and increasing tensions in society.
The channel has previously repeatedly disseminated disinformation and manipulative content about Azerbaijan.
"An official appeal has been submitted to the relevant platform regarding this matter, and we are confident that the company will promptly review it and take the necessary measures to prevent the spread of the aforementioned disinformation on its platforms.
"The Media and Broadcasting Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan calls on the public not to be influenced by rumors and urges media outlets and social media users to verify the accuracy of information against official data from the relevant institutions and refrain from circulating unconfirmed claims," the statement reads.