A roundtable on “A chronicle of Azerbaijani media during the Patriotic War” was held at the Media and Broadcasting Council.
“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports that journalists who took part in the Patriotic War, students and members of the public attended the event.
Speaking at the event, Natiq Mammadli, head of a department at the Media and Broadcasting Council, said the Patriotic War had also been a major test for Azerbaijani journalism:
“Our journalists took part both in the information war and on the battlefield, and the objectives set were achieved. Their contribution to the liberation of our lands should also be acknowledged. Journalists were killed both in the First Garabagh War and in the Patriotic War. After the Second Garabagh War, AZTV cameraman Siraj Abishov and AZERTAC correspondent Maharram Ibrahimov were killed while carrying out their professional duties in Kalbajar. Our journalists fought for our victory and documented it.”
He recalled that President Ilham Aliyev gave interviews to media outlets from more than 30 countries during the Patriotic War:
“During the First Garabagh War, we were isolated, our voice was not heard and Azerbaijan was under an information blockade. During the Second Garabagh War, Azerbaijan’s voice was heard around the world. Azerbaijani journalists fulfilled their professional duties with distinction. The Azerbaijani state highly valued the work of our journalists and colleagues who showed such dedication, awarding them orders and medals.”
A video about the media’s work during the Patriotic War was then shown.
Journalists who took part in the Patriotic War — Ilham Tumas, Mayil Asgarov and Maghrur Ali Polad — as well as Bahruz Mammad-zada, a member of the Press Council’s Board, spoke at the event.
They shared memories of their combat experience, the challenges they faced and the historic victory.
Journalists Fardin Isazade and Araz Khan, who prepared reports from some of the war’s fiercest hotspots, also spoke about the professional challenges journalists faced during the war.
The roundtable continued with discussions.
