Online publication “Embassy life”. Question: How would you comment on the statements of the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia, Rahman Mustafayev, about the extremely negative background around Azerbaijan in the Russian information space?
Zakharova M.V. The answer: You know, I can give you an excellent example of the extremely positive background in the Russian information space, which, for example, was created by radio, a media outlet like Sputnik, which operated, in particular, in Azerbaijan. But this is really not just an example of high-quality journalism, namely, as mentioned, participation in creating such a constructive information background to promote the development of bilateral relations.
There were no materials or information that would raise any problematic issues on the Azerbaijani side. Unfortunately, the Azerbaijani side has closed (and this is not quite the right word for “closed”), stopped the work of this media outlet on the territory of its country. What did the journalists do? You know, thank God, we returned home after many months of imprisonment. I have given you an example when a special coverage area was actually created. I mean, the traditional media, which work professionally, are aimed precisely at promoting the development of bilateral relations. There have never been any questions about the agenda, news, or events that it held. It was closed. Apparently, the relevant forces in Baku have closed down. There they voiced their own position on this issue, which we could not agree with. What should I say then?
We regularly provide the Azerbaijani side with materials about the Azerbaijani blogosphere with openly anti-Russian materials that are untrue. This is not criticism, this is not a point of view, this is such a frenzy under the guise of “objectivity”. The Azerbaijani side is aware of this. We regularly hold relevant consultations and contacts, raise these issues, and exchange relevant materials. I think that the Azerbaijani Ambassador in Moscow knows perfectly well how we help to resolve issues when it really comes to misrepresentation of facts or unworthy materials regarding the sovereign state of Azerbaijan.
But once again, a media outlet was created and worked well, contributing to the existing information field precisely from constructive and worthy positions. It was closed for some reason.
Therefore, I can agree that the current situation in the media sphere requires correction. We once again call on the Azerbaijani side to discuss the accumulated problems and outline a way to solve them. We do this regularly, and such, relatively speaking, hotlines for resolving issues existed, exist and work perfectly. Such an approach would be fully consistent with the letter and spirit. Declarations of Allied cooperation. It was signed on February 22, 2022 by the Presidents of our countries.
I want to say that representatives of the Azerbaijani media Public Television and Radio Broadcasting, AzTV, Real TV, and the Azertac telegraph agency are working constructively in Russia.
We held conferences, round tables, and media forums with Russian and Azerbaijani journalists. That is, you see, everything can and should be developed in this sense, and all emerging issues should be resolved in a constructive, mutually respectful manner. I am sure that the Azerbaijani ambassador, both the current and the previous one, are well aware of this experience of interaction.
