In a rapidly changing information space where digital platforms set the agenda, media is not just a means of delivering news, but also the main arena where public trust, taste, and opinion are formed.
Thus, the rapid development of digital media creates an abundance of information, further highlighting the concept of quality. Against this backdrop, the fundamental questions of journalism remain unchanged: which sources do readers trust, who are the best interview and news journalists, TV presenters, investigative journalists, culture and sports writers, photojournalists, commentators, analysts, and which websites offer the best headlines?
To find answers to these and other questions, the **Modern.az** website spoke with several well-known media representatives.
Honored Journalist, member of the Press Council Board **Azər Həsrət** stated that he follows news across a very wide range:
“From this perspective, it is difficult for me to specifically name only one source. I use both local media resources and foreign sources. I follow news published in English, Turkish, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Tatar, Turkmen, and other languages, and at the same time, I try to keep German sources in mind. Of course, I also follow Azerbaijani media as broadly as possible.
For this very reason, it is somewhat difficult for me to name a specific website and say, "this is my main source." Nevertheless, I consistently refer to the official website of the President, **President.az**. The reason for this is that the most important and official news is located precisely on this source.”
Regarding the television sector, A. Həsrət emphasized that there are many people he carefully follows, trusts, and values:
“Although not a presenter, I would like to specifically mention **Mirşahin Ağayev**, who comes to the forefront with his authorial programs. Furthermore, I must also highlight **Nigar Sabirqızı**, the presenter of the " **İTV Xəbər Yekun**" program, which airs on weekends and presents the week's summary."
Our interlocutor stated that he would answer somewhat sparingly regarding journalists who prepare interviews:
"I can say that **Mirşahin Ağayev** is a true master journalist in the interview genre. At the same time, I must also mention that the late journalist **Qənirə Paşayeva** held a special place in this field.
"Among the journalists who prepare the best reports, especially in terms of large-scale, research-based work and covering presidential visits, **Vüsal Mətləb from AzTV** catches my attention."
Our interlocutor, who stated that he regularly follows his materials and that his reports are presented at a sufficiently high level, is of the opinion that it is important to increase the number of such professional journalists in general.
A. Həsrət stated that it is difficult to list the names of distinguished photojournalists separately:
“Because in many cases, the name of the photojournalist is not mentioned in the photos published in the media. Nevertheless, I would like to specifically highlight **Rasim Sadiqov**, whom I have followed for many years, as a professional photographer. In my opinion, he is one of our rare colleagues who has captured Azerbaijan's modern history – from the collapse of the Soviets to the present day – taken truly unique photos, and continues this activity. Of course, we also have numerous other professional photojournalists whose names I could mention.”
Regarding news headlines, he said that he prefers media organizations that do not use expressions like "shock" or "horror":
“I do not access or read any news that contains such words. Therefore, although comparison opportunities are limited, I would mention **Hikmət Sabiroğlu** as one of the journalists who chooses successful and professional headlines. Furthermore, I also call **İmran Bədixanlı**, who works at "Xalq qəzeti", a master journalist and particularly appreciate his professional approach to headline selection.”
A. Həsrət also added that there are quite a few journalists who write good news. In his opinion, there are also many journalists who write short, concise, and at the same time comprehensive news stories:
“Among those who write analytical and commentary articles, we also have many professional press representatives. In this regard, I can mention **Asif Nərimanoğlu** and emphasize that he provides quite strong analyses.”
He also emphasized that the fields of culture and sports are among the areas he constantly pays attention to:
“In this field, I can specifically mention the journalist **Samirə Əşrəf**, and at the same time, **Zöhrə Əliyeva** can also be named.
Regarding sports journalism, I can state with satisfaction that a school has already formed in Azerbaijan in this field, and a sufficient number of professional journalists have been trained.”
Another member of the Press Council Board, Chairman of the Journalists' Trade Union **Müşfiq Ələsgərli**, believes that alongside the abundance of media entities in the country, the news agenda is also rich:
“From this perspective, it is impossible to follow all media entities and all news. Nevertheless, I review Azerbaijan's prominent news websites and popular media entities every day. It is my job to keep track of leading media entities and follow the news agenda; I conduct comparative analysis. On average, I regularly review about 30 media entities in one form or another in connection with my work.
In parallel, it is important to keep track of the news agenda. Which news stories are trending, what topics are on the agenda? To determine this, I use different methods. In addition to following individual media entities, I resort to technological applications. I also have "friends" from prominent media entities on social media platforms. Everyone shares information they find interesting, I see it, and I read and familiarize myself with what catches my attention.”
M. Ələsgərli noted that there are programs or individuals on television that he follows with interest:
“For example, on AzTV, I watch the **“HƏDƏF”** and **“MediaLAB”** programs. At the end of the week, I definitely watch the analytical broadcast presented by **Rövşən Məmmədov**. On İctimai TV, **“Diqqət mərkəzi”** is also among the programs I follow without exception. **Murad Hüseynov** organizes debates on very interesting topics. On **REAL TV**, I pay attention to **“Mir Şahin's Time”**. Even if I don't catch it live, I watch it later on YouTube. On **Baku TV**, **“Aktual gündəm”** also has an interesting format. **Elçin Əlibəyli** can set up debates around interesting topics. When I'm in the car, I turn on the radio. I try to time my drive so that it coincides with the programs of either **Nərmin Aşurzadə** or **Pərvanə Nadirqızı** on **İctimai TV**. They conduct excellent interviews, can delve deep into topics, and have tasteful presentations. Unfortunately, I haven't met them in person yet. I wish to meet them, thank them, and say kind words. My general opinion is that there are many interesting programs and presentations on television and radio.”
M. Ələsgərli also added that among the media organizations that prepare good investigative articles and provide analytical materials, he named the news agencies **AzərTAC, APA, “Trend”, “Report”**, the websites **“Qafqazinfo” and “Caliber.az”**, and the newspapers **“Yeni Musavat”** and **“Xalq qəzeti"**.
"But you have probably also observed: usually, such interesting investigations are presented as “editorial articles,” and the editorial board appears as the author. Therefore, I cannot name a specific author. However, I try to definitely read the investigative articles published in the media entities I have listed.”
According to the well-known journalist ** Etibar Cəbrayıloğlu**, he does not have a day without news:
“I follow news websites several times a day. I primarily read official news and information of state importance through **AZƏRTAC** and the President's official website, **President.az**. Among the online media resources I constantly follow are **Modern.az, Bakıvaxtı.az, Qafqazinfo.az, Lent.az, and Yenisabah.az**. I mainly follow sports news from **Qol.az, Sportal.az, and Match.az**.
In the field of television, the best news presenter for me is **Günay Yelmarqızı**, who works on **ATV** channel. Her on-air etiquette and professional presentation style stand out.
In the interview genre, I follow with interest the interviews of **Rafiq Həşimov** broadcast on **Mədəniyyət channel**. These interviews are a good school for young journalists. In print media, **Aytac Sahəd's** interviews in **“525-ci qəzet”** are interesting examples for this genre. Unfortunately, the interviews prepared by **Gülcahan Mirməmməd and Həmidə Rüstəmova** in the defunct **“Mədəniyyət” newspaper** also always attracted attention.
Among television reports, I attach particular importance to tele-reports prepared in the field of culture. From this perspective, the materials prepared by **Ülviyyə Heydərova** attract my attention more.”
E. Cəbrayıloğlu also emphasized that the current state of investigative journalism is a separate research topic in itself:
“Among television channels, the work of **Müsəllim Həsənov** on **İctimai Televiziya** holds a special place in this field. At the same time, on the same channel, **Murad Hüseynov's** investigation on the topic of Karabakh negotiations with former foreign ministers of independent Azerbaijan was presented at a high level. In the print media, the investigative genre is almost non-existent. Nevertheless, **İlqar Tağıyev's** investigation in **“525-ci qəzet”** regarding Azerbaijan's five millionth citizen was an interesting exception.
Among photojournalists, the photos taken by **AZƏRTAC employees Aydın Oqtay oğlu and İlqar Cəfərov** at events are noteworthy. İlqar Cəfərov has been awarded international prizes for his photos in the field of sports. The works of **Zaur Mustafayev, photojournalist of "Trend" news agency**, can also be mentioned.
In terms of news headlines, I come across interesting examples on the websites **Modern.az and Bakıvaxtı.az**. **Qafqazinfo.az** also particularly stands out in this field.”
In our interlocutor's opinion, it is difficult to specifically distinguish the name of the best news-writing journalist:
“We have a sufficient number of professional news writers. Among analytical articles, I like **Bahəddin Həziyev's** analyses and recommend young people who want to become journalists to read him. I also follow **Elxan Şükürlü's** analyses, but currently, he is more involved in political activities.
Regarding the coverage of cultural topics, the work of **Ülviyyə Heydərova** in the television sector, **Aytac Sahəd** and **Həmidə Rüstəmova** in print media, and **Cəvahir Səlimqızı**, who works on the “Yeni çağ” website in online media, is noteworthy.”
"Bakı Xəbər" newspaper's editor-in-chief, member of the Press Council Board **Aydın Quliyev**, stated that he regularly follows primarily **President.az and AZƏRTAC**, and then Russian-language and English-language media outlets of several countries:
"I keep track of Armenian and Russian media, as well as the Russian-language segment of Iranian media. Among international media outlets, I regularly read **"The New York Times", "The Washington Post", and "The Guardian"**. From Turkish media, I constantly follow the Russian-language version of **Anadolu Agency**.
As for the journalists who prepare the best interviews and reports, Aydın Quliyev named the employees of "Bakı Xəbər" newspaper:
“**İradə Sariyeva** is one of the greatest professionals in the interview genre. One of the best journalists who prepares reports is **Akif Nəsirli**. When reading Akif Nəsirli's reports, who has nearly 25 years of media experience, the reader feels as if they are inside the event.”
Aydın Quliyev states that he absolutely does not read news headlines that are enigmatic or riddle-like.
“A news headline should be comprehensive, concrete, and reflect the content. “Playing games” with the reader, listener, and viewer is unacceptable. Unfortunately, such problematic headlines have already spread like a kind of “disease.” I do not follow websites that use enigmatic headlines and I do not read those news stories.”
