The Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MEDIA) has announced a new creative contest for journalists aimed at supporting individual projects and professional growth within the media sector.
According to information provided by the Operative Information Center-OMM, applications and supporting documents must be submitted electronically through the mib.media.gov.az portal. The primary requirement for participation is the submission of material published or broadcast within the three months preceding the announcement of the contest.
The contest covers various categories for print and online media, including best reportage, best socio-political analysis, best socio-economic analysis, best interview, best cultural piece, best column, best investigative journalism, and best essay. For audiovisual media, journalists can submit segments up to five minutes in length in categories such as best socio-political reportage, best socio-economic reportage, and best thematic reportage (sports, culture, etc.).
Submissions will be evaluated by three independent experts appointed by the Media Development Agency. At the conclusion of the competition, five winners will be selected for each writing category, while five journalists and five camera operators will be awarded for each audiovisual category. The deadline for applications is May 20, 2026, at 18:00.
The Media Development Agency was established by a decree of President Ilham Aliyev to stimulate the development of the media landscape in Azerbaijan, enhance the professional capacity of journalists, and support the transition to modern digital standards. This contest is part of a broader state initiative to foster independent and high-quality journalism in the country, ensuring that media entities can operate effectively in a competitive global information environment.
You can familiarize yourself with the rules for the MEDIA individual journalist contest here.
