Irina Tsukerman: "American journalists have opportunities that their counterparts in many parts of the world do not possess"
"Azerbaijan can become a more important strategic partner for the US"
Modern.az continues its series of interviews with foreign journalists. In these interviews, we strive to understand these journalists' perceptions of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijanis, explore commonalities between the two countries, and exchange views on other matters.
Our interviewee this time is American journalist Irina Tsukerman. She is the editor of "The Washington Outsider" newspaper.
- Ms. Irina, journalism manifests differently in each country. What does journalism look like in the US?
- In the US, journalism is not a profession with a single identity, but rather manifests as an ongoing dialogue. It is shaped by competition, strong viewpoints, traditions of investigative reporting, and the belief that information belongs to the public domain. There is no centralized, single narrative authority here. Instead, there are thousands of competing media organizations, independent authors, research institutions, and digital platforms striving to influence public opinion. This creates an intense and sometimes difficult-to-manage environment, even for professionals in the field.
American journalism is also significantly influenced by the political culture that formed when the country was founded. This culture adopted a skeptical approach towards centralized authority as a core principle. Journalists are taught from an early stage that their role is not to protect power, but to question it. This does not imply hostility towards the government. It means that skepticism is accepted as a professional responsibility. Many journalists see their role as asking questions that others might hesitate to pose, in order to protect public interests.
Another important characteristic is a strong culture of investigative reporting. The tradition of long-term investigations into corruption, security vulnerabilities, lobbying influences, and foreign policy errors still exists. Some of the most respected journalists are those who spend years researching complex topics rather than producing daily news. This approach also attracts lawyers, policy researchers, and specialists from various fields, as their knowledge intersects with journalism.
At the same time, journalism in the US is not separate from business realities. Media organizations operate in a competitive commercial environment. Ratings, subscriptions, and advertisements influence which topics gain attention. This sometimes leads to more dramatic presentation styles or strong editorial stances. Many journalists struggle to find a balance between professional principles and commercial pressures.
Technology has also transformed this profession. Today, analysts, lawyers, researchers, and former government officials write directly to the public without going through traditional editorial systems. This has expanded the boundaries of journalism. It now encompasses not only reporting, but also analysis, open-source investigations, policy commentary, and security research. The profession has become more open and permeable.
The culture of internal debate is also strong in US journalism. Journalists openly criticize each other's work. While this competition can sometimes cause discomfort, it strengthens professional accountability. Errors are openly discussed, and narratives are continuously re-evaluated.
For Azerbaijani colleagues, this system might appear chaotic. However, viewed from within, it functions more as an open arena where ideas compete. This openness allows even uncomfortable topics to be brought up for discussion, because once a public debate begins, no institution can completely silence it.
- What inspired you to pursue a career in journalism?
- I never planned to be a journalist. My professional background is in law, specializing in national security and international humanitarian issues. My academic and professional work has focused on the Middle East, conflict law, and geopolitical risk analysis. Writing for a public audience was not a planned career change, but rather gradually evolved as a result of these activities.
My entry into this field occurred as a result of encountering extensive foreign policy materials during my legal research and consulting activities. I observed that many complex geopolitical issues in public discussions were either oversimplified or misunderstood. I began writing particularly because I felt that topics such as hybrid warfare, ideological influence, and strategic manipulation required deeper explanation.
As I continued, I focused on topics that many commentators shied away from. These included influence networks, propaganda narratives, the use of humanitarian terms for political purposes, and security vulnerabilities. Investigating these topics, as in the legal field, required rigorous discipline. Every claim had to be substantiated with evidence, every argument carefully constructed, and every conclusion based on facts.
Over time, media organizations began to request my commentary. Editors often present anyone who regularly writes on international issues as a journalist. I understand the reason for this. However, from my perspective, I am primarily an analyst and researcher; my work has simply become public. Writing, in turn, became one of the tools of my research and public engagement.
My legal education has also influenced my writing style. This education teaches careful reading, a skeptical approach to simple narratives, and questioning what evidence supports every claim. This approach naturally evolved into analytical writing. I approached public commentary as I would a legal document or policy analysis.
Over time, because I addressed topics that others approached with hesitation, my work evolved into research-oriented commentary. This included investigating the manipulation tactics used by state and non-state actors. This approach earned me a certain reputation, and as a result, although it was not my initial goal, I began participating in media discussions.
Although the media sometimes presents me as a journalist, I see my role as a combination of legal analysis, geopolitical research, and foreign policy investigation. Writing, in turn, is a means to convey this work to a broader audience.
- When discussing democracy and media freedom, the US is often cited as an example. What distinguishes the American media environment?
- One of the main differences is the legal framework that ensures media freedom. Freedom of speech and the press are enshrined in the country's constitutional structure. This provides journalists with a strong legal basis to combat censorship attempts. Courts are one of the primary venues where these rights are applied and clarified.
Another difference is the absence of centralized professional licensing. In many countries, journalism is a regulated profession requiring official recognition. In the US, however, journalism is largely considered a civic activity. Anyone who gathers information and publishes it responsibly can participate in this field. This creates a broader and more diverse information environment.
Diversity of ownership also plays a significant role in the media landscape. This includes large corporations, non-profit investigative organizations, private research platforms, academic publications, and independent analysts. This diversity creates different editorial approaches: some prioritize neutrality, some an active stance, and others technical analysis.
The US media is also under the influence of strong political competition. Media organizations often form editorial identities that align with different segments of society. This creates strong viewpoints and emotional presentations. From the outside, this might appear as fragmentation, but internally, it is regarded as a reflection of the diversity of political opinions.
The legal environment surrounding investigative journalism is also a distinguishing feature. Journalists frequently use freedom of information laws to gain access to government documents. Legal disputes over these matters are widespread, forming a close connection between the media and the legal system.
Technology companies have also become part of the media structure. Social media platforms determine how information is disseminated and which topics gain attention. This creates an additional layer that did not exist before.
Thus, the US media environment consists not of a single structure, but a combination of legal protection, open participation, robust debate, technological transformation, and institutional diversity.
- In your opinion, is the US media completely free, or are there certain limitations?
- In the US, the media operates under strong legal protection, but in practice, freedom always coexists with certain pressures. Legally, American journalists possess opportunities that their counterparts in many parts of the world do not. They can openly criticize the president's actions, question intelligence decisions, investigate military errors, and expose corporate corruption – without the fear that the government will shut down their newsroom the next day. This fosters in journalists the belief that asking difficult questions is their right and becomes part of their professional identity.
At the same time, real limitations are more structural in nature. One of the biggest limitations is access to information. While the state does not impose direct censorship, it controls classified information. Journalists covering defense and intelligence sometimes work for months to gain access to documents or sources. Sometimes, even if they know important facts, they cannot publish them because their sources cannot speak officially.
Economic factors also play a significant role. Investigative journalism is expensive and time-consuming. When media organizations face financial difficulties, long-term investigations are often among the first areas to be cut. This stems not from government pressure, but from financial realities.
The social environment has also created a new form of pressure. Today, journalists work in an information environment characterized by constant reactions. A controversial article can immediately face widespread criticism or attacks. While this does not restrict legal freedom, it alters the professional environment.
Legal risks also remain. While libel laws protect journalists, they require rigorous fact-checking and legal expertise. This slows down the process but enhances credibility.
Technology companies also exert indirect influence. While journalists can publish their articles, they do not have full control over how widely they are disseminated. Algorithms tend to prioritize emotional and fast-paced content, which can lead to in-depth investigations being overlooked.
Thus, the US media is free in the sense that it is not systematically silenced by the state. However, real pressures are related to money, access opportunities, dissemination mechanisms, and the psychological aspects of the profession. Freedom does not mean the absence of pressure, but rather that its source is society, not the state.
- In general, when the media must choose between state interests and truth, which should it prioritize?
- Journalists working with state and security structures operate in a complex information environment shaped by partially disclosed information, strategic messages, and evolving facts. Reporting in this field requires rigorous verification, a strong network of sources, and an understanding of institutional communication methods.
Working in this environment requires strong analytical skills. Government agencies communicate through official statements, unofficial signals, and selective emphases. Experienced journalists learn to read these layers.
Publication decisions are made based on the strength of evidence and the sensitivity of the situation. Journalists sometimes conduct extensive research before publishing important information. Experience shows that in some cases, the disclosure of information can create real dangers, thus requiring a cautious approach.
Journalists operating in this field establish connections with government officials, diplomats, and analysts. These connections help in understanding decision-making processes.
Reputation, in turn, is formed through accuracy and responsible conduct. Credible journalists are recognized in professional circles, and their work has a long-lasting impact.
Information of public interest usually emerges gradually, and the role of journalism is to present it in context. This both ensures public awareness and allows for the responsible presentation of sensitive information.
Overall, journalism working closely with state structures acts as a form of applied analysis. This activity requires observation, technical knowledge, and the ability to clearly explain complex processes.
- Are there countries that surpass the US in terms of media systems? If so, what differences distinguish them?
- Among countries with highly structured and technically disciplined media systems, Norway, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany,
