The local office of “Euronews” TV channel, one of Europe's most influential media platforms, began its operations in Baku.
The participation of Pedro Vargas David, Chairman of the institution's Board of Directors, at the opening ceremony further enhanced the scale and significance of the event.
Experts consider the opening of a “Euronews” office in Baku as one of Azerbaijan's greatest achievements in the media sector over the past 5 years. This step indicates that the era of global media giants dictating terms to Baku has ended, and Azerbaijan now sets its own rules of the game.
Speaking at the opening, Pedro Vargas David revealed several interesting points.
He openly admitted how the international media environment operates with pressure mechanisms. According to him, “Euronews”'s objective stance regarding Azerbaijan has caused dissatisfaction in certain circles:
“Our balanced position towards Azerbaijan was not accepted. Protests were held at the door of our head office, and our journalists were subjected to email attacks. Countless emails arrived when “Shusha, Azerbaijan” was written in the news… We, however, stated that international law recognizes this territory as Azerbaijan.”
“Euronews” management stated that even “Reuters”'s promotion of a version favorable to Russia regarding the downing of an Azerbaijani plane last December did not affect their objective stance: “We have never done that.”
In fact, these statements clearly demonstrate how pressure, manipulation, and bias operate in the international information sphere.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors also specifically emphasized Azerbaijan's vital role in the global aviation network during the 12-day Israel-Iran tension that occurred in June.
In his speech, Pedro Vargas David characterized our country's advantages as a secular and modern nation, with high development rates, significant industrial and strategic resources, and a leading role in Europe's energy and supply security.
The event also featured the presentation of the “Eurasia Talks” program, which includes interviews with leaders from Central Asia and the South Caucasus. This project aims to provide a more comprehensive and objective understanding of the region to a European audience.
The media policy of recent years has confirmed a truth. The era of “I want to open a bureau in Azerbaijan” is over. Now, everything happens according to Baku's wishes and the conditions it sets. Azerbaijan does not negotiate with global media organizations as a “weak party.” It expresses its views and desires as an equal party. It demands objectivity and honesty. This marks a strategic turning point for the country's information security and reputation management.
Footage edited by the BBC, supposedly one of the world's most reliable media organizations, concerning US President Donald Trump, showed that the claim of “impartiality” remains on paper. If they can play such games against the US president, imagine what this media organization could do against us…
It can unequivocally be considered that the office opened in Baku is a significant platform for conveying Azerbaijani realities to the world.
This office will strengthen the region's role as an information hub. It will create an opportunity for direct communication with a global audience. Most importantly, it will be a strategic phase of Azerbaijan's media diplomacy, a large information window opening to the world.
The answer to the question "Why Baku?" is this: Azerbaijan is the most stable and strategic country in the region; Baku is no longer an object of influence for global media. Azerbaijan is indispensable on Europe's energy, security, and transit map. Baku is the most favorable address for an objective, honest, and balanced media environment.
Although the opening of the “Euronews” office is associated with a media event in itself, it is another confirmation of Azerbaijan's information sovereignty and global influence.
Elnur ƏMİROV
