Anniversary of Azerbaijani Journalism

Some are in prison cells, others receive awards from the authorities.

July 22nd is celebrated as National Press Day in Azerbaijan. Exactly 150 years ago, on July 22, 1875, "Ekinchi" ("The Plowman"), the first newspaper in the Azerbaijani language, was published.

It was founded by the enlightener Hasan bey Zardabi, who, after great difficulties, managed to obtain permission from the authorities of Tsarist Russia to publish a newspaper in the national language.

After "Ekinchi," significant progress occurred in this field. In the late 19th century, newspapers like "Ziya" (1879), "Kashkul" (1880), and "Kaspi" (1880s-1890s) were published.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Jalil Mammadguluzade, Mohammad Agha Shakhtakhtinski, Omar Faig Nemanzade, Uzeyir Hajibeyov, and others began the struggle to create a new democratic press. As a result, newspapers such as "Sharqi-rus" (1903), "Hayat" (1905), "Achyg Soz" (1915), and "Azerbaijan" (1918), possessing a democratic spirit and national character, emerged.

In 1906, with the publication of "Molla Nasreddin" magazine, the foundations of political satire were laid in the Azerbaijani press.

The free national press in Azerbaijan was revived after the collapse of the USSR. Since 1992, by presidential decree, July 22nd has been celebrated as National Press Day in the country.

However, from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, pressure on the independent and opposition press in Azerbaijan gradually intensified.

Dozens of newspapers were forced to either close down or, having lost their independence, came under government control.

This process intensified especially after the 2005 murder of Elmar Huseynov, editor-in-chief of "Monitor" magazine.

Since late 2023, a new wave of repression against the free press has begun. Mass arrests of journalists from "Abzas Media," "Toplum TV," and "Meydan TV" were carried out, after which they ceased operations in Azerbaijan and are now published from abroad.

In February 2025, "Turan" agency, the last bastion of independent press in Azerbaijan, was forced to suspend its activities.

While about 30 journalists are languishing in prisons on fabricated charges for their commitment to their professional duty to truthfully cover events and draw attention to societal problems, on the eve of the 150th anniversary of the National Press, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev awarded two hundred representatives of pro-government media outlets with orders, medals, and honorary titles.