The Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (MEDİA) has issued a stern warning regarding the dissemination of misleading information by certain media outlets. The agency criticized the use of sensationalist headlines that manipulate scientific and statistical data published in the 12th issue of the State Examination Center's "Abituriyent" journal concerning student admissions and graduation exam results for the 2025/2026 academic year.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, MEDİA highlighted that headlines such as "Urgent: 200 students died in Azerbaijan" or "Shock: 200 students have died in Azerbaijan" are unacceptable attempts to create artificial public panic. The agency emphasized that such practices distort facts and violate the ethical standards of journalism.
In its statement, the agency urged all media entities to strictly adhere to the requirements of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Media" and the principles of professional journalism. When interpreting statistical data, outlets are obligated to accurately explain the source, methodology, and context of the information. Responsible reporting on matters of public interest remains a fundamental duty of all media organizations operating in Azerbaijan, as misinformation can have significant social repercussions.
