In brief
The Azerbaijani government has ordered the halt of BBC News' Azerbaijani operations in Baku, prompting concerns over press freedom. The suspension, announced by the BBC, follows a verbal directive from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The BBC expressed deep regret over what it calls a restrictive action against free journalism, impacting its ability to report on issues within and outside Azerbaijan.
The government has reportedly aimed to reduce the number of BBC personnel to just one, prompting the closure of the Baku office after nearly three decades of operation serving one million weekly listeners. BBC representatives stated they are currently seeking clarification on the instructions, as they continue to advocate for journalistic activity in the Azerbaijani language. Despite the challenges, they remain committed to finding pathways for information dissemination in the region. As of yet, no formal written communication from the Ministry has been received, leaving the BBC's queries unanswered.
