During the 44-day Patriotic war, the Azerbaijani media professionals have demonstrated unmatched bravery. Their roles in communicating accurate and timely information to the world community and preventing enemy propaganda has been invaluable, said Elchin Babayev, Rector of the Baku State University (BSU), as he addressed the opening ceremony of the international conference on “Media and communication studies in the digital age” marking the 150th anniversary of the Azerbaijani National Press.

“Akinchi,” a newspaper published in the Azerbaijani language by outstanding intellectual and publicist Hasan Bey Zardabi, which laid the foundation of the Azerbaijani National Press, has made an invaluable contribution to educating the people, realizing the national identity and promoting the ideas of statehood,” the rector noted.

Babayev said that President Ilham Aliyev’s Order “On the Celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Azerbaijani National Press” stands as a clear example of the high importance attached to media and journalism in the country. “This anniversary is not only reflecting on our history, but also a great contribution to the formation of a progressive generation of journalists and the inspiration of young writers,” he added.

The BSU rector also highlighted National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s role in the development of the national press.