D-8 Media Center of Excellence was presented within the framework of the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum

Strategy of the D-8 Media Center of Excellence was presented within the framework of the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum.

Opening the event with an introductory speech, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan — Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev stated that ensuring reliable information exchange, promoting professional journalism, and joint fight against disinformation are among the important directions of cooperation between states in the rapidly changing information environment. He emphasized that the D-8 Media Excellence Center, established on the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, is of exceptional importance in this regard, and said the Center will contribute to strengthening ties between media institutions of member countries, expanding experience exchange, and implementing joint initiatives.

Secretary-General of the D-8 Organization Sohail Mahmud noted that strengthening cooperation in the media field is of significant importance for establishment a unified, reliable, and constructive information environment among member states. He stated that the Media Excellence Center will serve to institutionalize cooperation among media institutions of member countries, expand the exchange of experience and knowledge, and form coordinated approaches to modern challenges emerging in the media sphere. The Secretary-General assessed this initiative as a transition to a new stage of media cooperation within the D-8 framework.

Detailed information on the need for establishing the Center, its strategic goals, and areas of activity was provided by Fuad Mardiev, Director General of the “Media Excellence Network.” He noted that the rapid digital transformation in the media field, widespread application of artificial intelligence technologies, increasing threats of disinformation, and changes occurring in the global information environment necessitate closer cooperation among the member states of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation.

It was stated that the main purpose of the Center is to strengthen cooperation in the media field among D-8 countries, increase professional capacity, promote research and innovations, and form unified approaches in this sphere.

The presentation followed with brief on the planned activities of the D-8 Media Excellence Center, including institutional establishment, international positioning, creation of cooperation mechanisms, exchange of experience, media research, and the fight against disinformation.

It was also emphasized that in the next stages of the Center’s activities it is planned to create a cooperation network uniting the media institutions of member states, implement joint projects, expand partnerships with international organizations, and share best practices in the media field.