Tashkent debuts Uzbek-Azerbaijani Media Forum "In Search of Truth in Digital Age: Combating Disinformation"

The opening ceremony of the Uzbek-Azerbaijani Media Forum "In Search of Truth in the Digital Age: Combating Disinformation" has taken place in Tashkent, Olaylar reports.

The forumchr("39")s opening ceremony speaker, Executive Director of the Media Development Agency of Azerbaijan Ahmad Ismayilov, emphasized that thanks to the strong political will of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, fraternal relations and regional relations have strengthened between the two countries, as well as the intensive ties that have made a significant contribution to the development of our regions and dynamically impact all areas, including the media.

He emphasized that active work is underway to establish partnerships between organizations responsible for media development and coordination in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, enhance the functions of communication departments within state institutions, facilitate the exchange of experiences in media education and literacy, and strengthen cooperation among media outlets, and in this context, the I Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Media Forum will play a significant role in supporting joint efforts to combat disinformation and in exploring ways to address the current situation.

Another speaker, Head of the Media Sector in the Department for Work with Non-Governmental Organizations and Communication at the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, Kamran Hasanov, emphasized that in the modern era, where information is a primary resource, manipulation through disinformation can lead to destabilization of public order and undermine trust in government institutions.

Therefore, according to him, exchanging experiences and successful models, as well as learning new skills and approaches, is crucial.

Highlighting that, alongside participating in the media forum, Azerbaijani media representatives and press service staff from government bodies had the opportunity to hold meetings with their Uzbek counterparts as part of the experience exchange, Hasanov stressed the importance of further strengthening close cooperation between Azerbaijani and Uzbek media entities to ensure the security of information exchange.

In conclusion, media representatives participating in the forum were provided with comprehensive and extensive information about the events and preparatory work being conducted in Azerbaijan in connection with COP29. They were also urged to provide thorough and extensive information on the sustainable approach adopted in the process of recovery and reconstruction in the liberated territories, the initiatives proposed by Azerbaijan for a "green" world, and to ensure media support at various levels.