The modernization of the global information environment, broader application of advanced technologies in the field of media, and overall digitization processes provided for formation of a new and dynamic media space around the world. On July 19-21, 2025, the cities of Khankendi and Shusha, Azerbaijan was host the 3nd Shusha Global Media Forum entitled “Digital Pathways: Strengthening Information and Media Resilience in the Age of AI” to run a broad analysis of the trends observed in the new media environment, expand and improve international cooperation in the field of media, follow the leading trends in this field, and investigate the application mechanisms of the opportunities created by innovative evolution for creative industries.
III Shusha Global Media Forum in Numbers
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Program
For more information about the forum sessions and speakers, please click here.
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Day 119.07.2025
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Day 220.07.2025
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Day 321.07.2025
17:00
Keynote address and the meeting of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev with the participants of the
3rd Shusha Global Media Forum in Khankendi
09:00-10:00
Acquaintance with outdoor exhibition
10:00 - 10:05
Opening Ceremony - Opening Video
Master of ceremonies (MoC): Jane Witherspoon - Euronews,
Guy Shone - AnewZ
10:05 - 10:30
Welcome remarks
Hikmat Hajiyev
Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan - Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan
10:30 - 12:00
1st panel discussion
Innovative Approaches: Media Literacy in the Digital Age
11:00-12:00
Parallel event: Presentation by the Media Team of the OTS about the work in the
fields of information and media across the Turkic world
12:00 - 13:00
Transfer from Shusha to Aghdam
13:00 - 14:30
Lunch in the Aghdam City Hotel
14:30-15:10
Guided tour at the Aghdam Imarat Complex
15:10-16:00
Introduction to the Aghdam Railway and Bus Station Complex
16:00-17:00
Visiting Khidirli village
17:00-18:00
Transfer from Aghdam to Shusha
17:00-18:00
Parallel event: Roundtable on "AZERTAC at 105: The Past, Present, and Future of
Cooperation" in Lachin
20:00
Gala dinner and musical performances
10:00-11:30
2nd panel discussion
Media Literacy as the Guarantee of Information Security
10:30-11:30
Parallel event: Side event of AnewZ and screening of the "Destination: Shusha,
Azerbaijan" documentary
11:30-12:00
Tea and coffee break
12:00-12:45
One-on-one discussion
Journalism in the AI Era: Preserving Truth Amid Automation
12:45-14:30
Lunch
14:30-15:30
3rd panel discussion (Initial Remarks Format)
How Social Media Evolution Affects Public Trust: Embracing Media Literacy
15:30-16:00
Closing of the Forum
16:15-17:30
Parallel event: Side event on “Adapting to the Next Generation Audience and Media”
18:30-21:00
Outdoor dining with a special menu by the famous chefs
Quotes
Claus Strunz
CEO, Euronews
Disinformation is a threat, but also an opportunity... it creates new journalistic formats.
Dr. Karen Sutherland
SFHEA, Senior Lecturer - Public Relations, Social Media Educator & Researcher, School of Business and Creative Industries, UniSC
While social platforms do have their part to play in managing and being transparent in terms of AI-generated content, I think we need to look inside and see what practices are happening within organizations.
Dennis Yu
Google and Youtube expert; CEO, BlitzMetrics
But I think it's tough now to determine what is factually true as opposed to what is popular.
Ziphora Maubane
Head of Communication and Advocacy,
We need to empower the public to be able to decipher between what is fake news and what is actually great reporting and news that can be consumed.
Şəfəq Mehrəliyeva
Faculty, Communication and Digital Media Program,
ADA University
Media literacy means two things - one is to develop interpretation and judgment of the content that you consume based on knowledge and evidence. And the second thing is to consume it with a tolerance and respect to difference of opinions.
Jaffar Hasnain
Presenter & Correspondent, TRT World
Journalism is not just about reporting, it’s about verifying, cross-checking, and getting your news from reliable sources.
Oubai Shahbandar
Correspondent, AnewZ
Our phones are supercomputers. At any time, any one of us can be an investigative journalist, but there does come a certain level of responsibility.
Fernando Soares
Chief of Staff to the Chairman of Euronews;
CEO, Euronews Baku
A truly media-literate person is someone who understands what media is, what technology is, and how technology is shaping what media can do and communicate today.
Alexandru Giboi
Secretary General, The European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA)
Information literacy is the capacity of a person to receive information, filter it, understand it, and, furthermore, be able to make good decisions.
Aina Zadabek
Chairperson of the Management Board of
"Qazcontent" JSC
It is very important to develop your skills and the ability to think critically — it is exactly what helps us detect deepfakes and identify false information.
Salah Negm
DIRECTOR, AL JAZEERA ENGLISH NEWS CHANNEL
Disinformation differs from misinformation by intent and motive. Our role as media is actually to enliven people by telling them what is exactly, getting them to the surface, discussing it, getting their opinion, people's opinion about it.
Thembisa Fakude
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO), MAIL AND GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER (M&G)
We've moved from disinformation to an era of perpetual misinformation. This is a significant challenge, especially on topics like climate change, where varying opinions persist due to longstanding misinformation.
Mohamed Er-Raji
PHD; HEAD OF MEDIA STUDIES,
AL JAZEERA CENTRE FOR STUDIES
As a news agency, we must prioritize accuracy, speed, and objectivity. Our confidence should not be undermined by instances of fake news. Disinformation is disseminated not only by certain private institutions but also by government entities.
Charles Veley
FOUNDER, MTP
(MOST TRAVELED PEOPLE) CLUB
Some people write comments like “why do you support ethnic cleansing and barbarism?” However, I have stated that I am simply conveying the truth about what I have witnessed.
From world to Shusha, voices unite to protect the thruth
Short clips from interviews and panel sessions about III Shusha Global Media Forum
Gallery
