- Azerbaijan suspends BBC News operation in Baku
- BBC regrets move, citing restriction on press freedom
- Service reaches 1 million people weekly, despite suspension
The Azerbaijani government has ordered the suspension of BBC News’ Azerbaijani operation in the capital city, Baku.
In a statement released on Thursday, the BBC confirmed it had made the “reluctant decision” to close its office in Azerbaijan after receiving a verbal instruction from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The BBC expressed its regret over what it called a “restrictive move against press freedom.” The corporation stated that its team of journalists in Baku had suspended their journalistic activities while it seeks clarification on the government’s order.
Reports from state-controlled media indicate that the Azerbaijani government intends to reduce the number of BBC staff working in the country to just one.
“We deeply regret this restrictive move against press freedom, which will hinder our ability to report to and from Azerbaijan for our audiences inside and outside the country,” said a BBC spokesperson.
The BBC has yet to receive a formal written communication from the Azerbaijani government and has sought clarification through various channels. However, Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not responded to the BBC’s request for comment.
BBC News Azerbaijani, which has been operating in Azerbaijan since 1994, reaches an average of one million people every week, and its audience has been steadily growing. The service began by providing news via radio broadcasts and later expanded to various digital platforms.
Despite the suspension, the BBC reiterated its commitment to continue providing impartial news and information in the Azerbaijani language.
