The new Board of the Azerbaijan Press Council has been elected

Bakuinform.az

On October 16, 2026, the 9th Congress of Azerbaijani Journalists was held in Baku. The main event of the forum was the election of a new Board of Directors and a change in the leadership of the Press Council. Vugar Zifaroglu, a well-known media expert, dean of the Faculty of Journalism at Baku State University (BSU), and Doctor of Philological Sciences, was elected to head the organization.

The 9th Congress of Azerbaijani Journalists took place at the Rashid Behbudov State Song Theatre, bringing together 225 delegates from all over the country. Participants reviewed the Press Council's activities for the reporting period, outlined priorities for the development of national media, and held a vote to renew the governing bodies.

A Landmark Generation Shift in the Board

The congress was marked by a large-scale transformation of the internal structure of the Press Council. Following the vote, a new 23-member Board of Directors was formed.

The election process demonstrated a course toward renewal: a group of long-standing board members, including former chairman Rashad Majid, Aflatun Amashov, and Vusala Mahirgyzy, voluntarily requested not to include their names on the ballot papers, making way for new candidates. The newly elected board unanimously entrusted the position of Press Council Chairman to Vugar Zifaroglu.

Digital Challenges, AI, and the Fight Against Disinformation

During the discussion of the reporting documents, delegates raised key issues of information security. It was noted that the Media and Broadcasting Council is carrying out continuous operational work to neutralize fake news and information attacks directed against Azerbaijan.

Special attention was paid to technological progress. It was stated that a brand-new principle regulating the integration and use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in editorial processes has been added to the code of ethical conduct for Azerbaijani journalists, requiring clear professional boundaries.

Statistics on human rights activities were also announced: during the past period, the Press Council received 815 official complaints regarding publications, of which 691 appeals were settled amicably at the secretariat level.

Appeal to President Ilham Aliyev During the official part of the congress, a collective appeal to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was adopted on behalf of the entire journalistic community, which was read out by journalist Seyfeddin Huseynly.

In the text of the statement, representatives of domestic media emphasized their civic responsibility, readiness to stand guard over state independence, strengthen national unity, and promptly ensure the objective delivery of Azerbaijani realities to the global community.

According to experts, the outcomes of the congress lay the foundation for the qualitative modernization of the Azerbaijani press, increasing the authority of traditional and online media, and strengthening the role of the expert community in managing media processes.

Following the 9th Congress, the list of all 23 members of the new Board of the Azerbaijan Press Council has been fully formed and published. The composition is divided into two main categories: journalists (representatives of editorial offices) and public representatives (trade unions, universities, and NGOs).

The full list of the new Board members is given below:

From among journalists (14 people):

• Hajibey Heydarli — Azxeber.com news site;

• Orkhan Amashov — AnewZ TV channel;

• Saadet Mammadova — ATV television company;

• Nurshan Guliyev — APA news agency;

• Vugar Rahimzade — "Iki Sahil" socio-political newspaper;

• Elshad Eyvazly — Modern Media Group media holding;

• Seyfeddin Huseynly — "525-ci qəzet" publication;

• Galib Ibrahimoglu — Bakivaxti.az information portal;

• Farid Shahbazly — Editor.az analytical site;

• Elchin Alioğlu — Trend news agency;

• Anar Tagirov — Bizim.media news resource;

• Vafa Hamzayeva — Real TV news channel;

• Elmira Musayeva — CBC international TV channel;

• Gumbat Musayev — First Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the official newspaper "Xalq Gazeti".

From among public representatives (9 people):

• Vugar Zifaroglu — Dean of the Faculty of Journalism at BSU (elected Chairman of the Council);

• Mushfig Aleskerli — Chairman of the Azerbaijan Journalists' Union;

• Amina Yusifgyzy — Honored Journalist, press veteran;

• Behruz Mamedzade — NGO "Veterans of Special Forces, Families of Martyrs, and Veterans";

• Ayaz Mirzoyev — NGO "Network of Azerbaijani Journalists";

• Farid Pardashunas — Technology expert, head of the Technote media company;

• Konul Niftaliyeva — Lecturer at the Faculty of Journalism at BSU;

• Azer Gasret — Head of the Bayraqdar Media project;

• Yegana Hajiyeva — Political expert, chair of the Institute of Young Democrats.

According to the statute of the Press Council, meetings of this Board are held monthly to coordinate the activities of media entities and review appeals.