Azerbaijan Shuts Down BBC News Azerbaijani Operations in Baku

The Azerbaijani government has ordered the suspension of BBC News' Azerbaijani operations, impacting its ability to report freely in the region. The BBC expressed regret over the decision, stating it limits press freedom and seeks further clarification on the order.

The Azerbaijani government has directed a suspension of BBC News Azerbaijani’s activities in the capital, Baku, following a recent verbal order from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The BBC announced this significant development on Thursday, noting its “reluctant decision” to close its office in the country. This decision has raised serious concerns about press freedom in Azerbaijan, which has been a critical source of news and information since its inception in 1994.

A statement from the BBC voiced their disappointment, characterizing the order as a "restrictive move" that undermines their reporting capabilities within Azerbaijan. The Ministry's demands reportedly include reducing the BBC's staff presence to just one individual. In response to the government’s instructions, the BBC's team of journalists in Baku has ceased their journalistic operations while they await further clarification.

Despite the suspension, the BBC reiterates its dedication to continue providing news content in the Azerbaijani language, emphasizing the importance of their journalism in reaching the country’s population. Recent statistics show that BBC News Azerbaijani has a viewership of approximately one million people weekly, demonstrating a growing demand for their impartial news coverage.

As of now, the BBC has not received formal documentation regarding the suspension and has reached out through various avenues for clarification, with no response from Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The situation points to heightened tensions between the government and independent media entities, raising alarms for journalists operating in Azerbaijan.