MEDIA issues statement regarding campaign of threats against Shusha Global Media Forum participants

The Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MEDIA) has issued a statement in connection with a campaign of threats in social networks against the participants of the Global Media Forum "New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution" held in Shusha, Report informs.

"Held on July 21-23 in the city of Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, the Global Media Forum ‘New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution’, which was attended by 150 foreign guests from 49 countries, including heads of state news agencies of 34 countries, 12 international organizations, media structures, high-ranking media experts and journalists, is regarded as a historic event that had an international public resonance due to its serious and professional messages aimed at the future," the statement says.

Besides, the agency noted that the purpose of the forum was to discuss the future directions of development of journalism, which disseminates socially significant news in a world that is being updated almost at the speed of light, with numerous technological innovations. The forum included a detailed discussion of new tools in journalism and communication in the digital age and the role of the media in this context, with the focus on the modern role of traditional media, their future, difficulties and new directions that have emerged in journalism against the backdrop of new trends.

“However, unfortunately, the Armenian government and circles close to it, deliberately trying to politicize the essence of the Global Media Forum ‘New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution,’ based on their limited mercantile interests, are conducting a campaign of slander and hatred in social networks about those who participated in this prestigious event, high-level experts, journalists with influence on international public opinion, and are trying to cast a shadow on their reputation and demonstrate a position that is in no way compatible with journalistic ethics.

We, as the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, on behalf of Azerbaijani journalists, condemn such a slanderous campaign, regard it as terror against freedom of speech and journalism, declare the inadmissibility of using a forum that was guided by professional principles and was devoted only to problems, issues of developing the prospects of modern media, as a tool of hate speech,” reads the statement.