Speaking at a panel discussion on “Media Literacy as the Guarantee of Information Security” during the 3rd Shusha Global Media Forum, TRT World correspondent Jaffar Hasnain emphasized that the realities of the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict have not been objectively reflected in international media.

Hasnain underscored Azerbaijan’s decades-long struggle to liberate its internationally recognized sovereign territories, pointing out that Armenian attacks on Azerbaijani land continued for years and often targeted civilians.

He drew attention to Armenia’s shelling of Ganja - one of Azerbaijan’s major cities - during the 2020 Patriotic War, describing it as a blatant violation of international law and humanitarian norms. “Regrettably, these realities have not been consistently or objectively reflected in international media,” Hasnain said.

He criticized certain Western media outlets for downplaying or ignoring Armenia’s role as the aggressor and for framing the conflict in a way that suggests Azerbaijan bore primary responsibility. “This demonstrates the immense power of media in shaping public opinion, which can have both positive and negative impacts,” he noted.

Hasnain highlighted the danger of biased or inaccurate reporting, saying it can distort public perception and blur the lines between truth and falsehood. He stressed the vital importance of objectivity, ethical journalism, and access to accurate information in the fight against misinformation and information warfare.