Hikmet Hajiyev: Media have become a pillar of national resilience
In modern conditions, media no longer just report on events — they have become a pillar of national resilience, dialogue, and international mutual understanding.
This was stated by Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan — Head of the Department for Foreign Policy Issues of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev, speaking at a session within the framework of the IV Shusha Global Media Forum, reports 1news.az.
The Assistant to the President emphasized that today information spreads at lightning speed, while trust in it regularly lags behind. In this regard, preserving the basic values of the press — the pursuit of truth and facts — is becoming a key task. This is also intended to be facilitated by Shusha itself, which for centuries has been the cradle of intellectual thought and culture, and today is once again restoring its status as a platform for global dialogue.
Touching upon technological challenges, Hikmet Hajiyev drew attention to the rapid development of artificial intelligence. “If two years ago AI was discussed at the forum as something futuristic, today it has become part of everyday life, transforming journalism. At the same time, the development of digital platforms and social networks has not only expanded communication but also increased the risks of disinformation, manipulation, and polarization of society, which is why distinguishing truth from lies is becoming increasingly difficult,” he noted.
Particular attention in his speech was paid by the representative of the Presidential Administration to information security and the regional agenda. He recalled that wars often begin with newspaper headlines, and information confrontations continue even after the end of real hostilities. Hikmet Hajiyev expressed regret that revanchist forces still dominate the media space in Armenia, and a number of foreign publications are trying to artificially return the situation to the “zero point” of the conflict. In this context, he expressed deep gratitude to the journalists present in the hall Reza Deghati, Richardas Lapaitis, and Shain Agayev, who, breaking through the information blockade, conveyed to the world the truth about the Khojaly tragedy.
In conclusion of his speech, Hikmet Hajiyev raised the global problem of protecting children from the negative influence of social networks, cyberbullying, and addictive algorithms. He emphasized that this discussion is aimed not at limiting technologies, but at ensuring digital responsibility and security for the younger generation, calling for putting the well-being of children at the center of attention when developing any technological innovations.
