Azerbaijan Authorities Further Tighten Legal Framework for Media Operations

The Azerbaijani Parliament has approved in its final reading amendments to legislation that strengthen the already strict regulations governing media activities.

Specifically, the requirements for the operations of foreign media representative offices are being tightened. They are now required not only to undergo state registration but also to be included in the media registry. If a foreign media branch or representative office does not apply for inclusion in the registry within seven days of registration, it could lead to the liquidation of the entity.

Furthermore, in "cases provided by law," access to the internet information resource (website) of a foreign branch or representative office may be restricted. The provision concerning "cases provided by law" is notably vague and allows for broad interpretations.

Another new amendment concerns the activities of news agencies. It stipulates that news agencies must have agreements with at least 20 media entities for the provision of information. There is also a requirement for news agencies to have accredited correspondents in at least five foreign countries.

Another significant change prohibits the operation of print media not included in the Media Registry. Under the amendments, publishing houses are forbidden from printing such media, and newspaper and magazine distributors are prohibited from selling unregistered newspapers and magazines. Additionally, operating without inclusion in the registry carries a penalty of a fine of 5,000 manat (approximately $3,000 USD).

The new regulations also affect media names. Amendments state that "the names of mass media (editorial offices) must not coincide with or be similar to the names of other mass media (editorial offices)," and "names must not contain expressions that contradict public order, moral and ethical norms, or are capable of misleading users."

The international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned these "inadequate tightenings aimed at the complete paralysis of the independent press and the total suffocation of dissent."

According to RSF, this new version of the media law hinders the work of both local and international media. Foreign media outlets are now required to apply for inclusion in the media registry within seven days of mandatory state registration; otherwise, they face liquidation.

The authorities also reserve the right to restrict access to a publication's website in "cases provided by law"—a deliberately vague concept. RSF states that, for instance, any criticism or mention of violations of journalists' rights could be classified as interference in internal affairs or distortion of the real situation.

These regulations contribute to the increased stigmatization of foreign media, which experienced a wave of unjustified accreditation revocations in March. Such tightening could therefore lead to the departure of the last remaining foreign newsrooms, seeking to protect their journalists from an increasingly repressive atmosphere, and deter new foreign media from opening offices in the country.

Among other things, the new version of the law obliges news agencies, in order to obtain operational permits, to conclude agreements with no fewer than 20 national media outlets that agree to receive information distributed by them. However, there are no longer any independent media outlets with a legal address in Azerbaijan that could potentially subscribe to the services of an independent agency. This provision appears to be specifically designed to prevent the resumption of operations by the Turan agency, which was forced to cease work in February, and aims to strengthen the monopoly of pro-government media, which receive large subsidies, as well as to deter any new initiatives.

RSF concludes that these measures intensify the atmosphere of repression and make the very existence of media impossible without the permission of the Azerbaijani authorities, who rank 167th out of 180 countries and territories in RSF's 2025 World Press Freedom Index.