Azerbaijan Orders BBC News Azerbaijani to Suspend Operations in Baku

The Azerbaijani government has ordered BBC News Azerbaijani to stop its operations in the capital, Baku. The British broadcaster announced the decision on Thursday, saying it was forced to close its office after receiving verbal instructions from Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The BBC said it was deeply disappointed by the government's decision, calling it a "restrictive move against press freedom." The media organization emphasized that the suspension would make it harder to report on events in Azerbaijan for its local and international audiences.

BBC News Azerbaijani has been a trusted news source in the country since 1994. It started with radio broadcasts and later expanded to digital platforms, reaching about one million people weekly. Its audience has been growing, showing the demand for independent journalism in the region.

Reports from state-controlled media suggest that the Azerbaijani government wanted to reduce BBC’s staff in the country to just one person. In response, the BBC’s journalists in Baku have suspended their reporting while they seek further clarification from officials.

However, the BBC has not received any formal written notice from the Azerbaijani government regarding the closure. The company has contacted the authorities through different channels but has not yet received a response. Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also not commented on the situation.

The suspension of BBC News Azerbaijani shows the growing restrictions on independent media in the country. Over the years, Azerbaijan has faced criticism for its handling of press freedoms, with journalists and media outlets often encountering legal and political pressures.

Despite the closure of its office in Baku, the BBC remains committed to reporting in the Azerbaijani language. The broadcaster stated that it would continue to provide news to its audience, even if it faces challenges on the ground.

For now, journalists and media freedom organizations are watching closely to see whether Azerbaijan will reverse its decision or if this marks a permanent restriction on the BBC’s presence in the country.