Activities of the Regional Press in Azerbaijan in the Years of Independence

The Regional Press is an integral part of the history of national journalism, its addressing a range of subjects, including socio-political, socio-economic, and literary-cultural issues. The Regional Press of the modern era exhibits a number of distinctive characteristics that set it apart from previous periods. It also differs significantly in both quantity and quality when compared to earlier eras. Upon returning to power in 1993, the National Leader Heydar Aliyev defined democratic development, civil society, and legal state-building as the main directions of Azerbaijan’s State Policy. He removed the artificial barriers that had previously restricted freedom of speech, information, and expression, including censorship. Furthermore, the National Leader established an excellent legislative framework to regulate the activities of the Mass Media. On many occasions, the Regional Press has made significant contributions to the advancement of National Culture. During periods when central newspapers were not delivered to the regions in a timely manner, the Regional Press served as a platform for Azerbaijani journalists and publicists, facilitating the dissemination of information to readers. The article's principal focus is on the history and contemporary state of the Regional Mass Media. The subject of analysis includes newspapers and magazines published during this period, new TV channels, their ideological and political orientation, typology, and thematic principles. In addition to these aspects, the difficulties and problems faced by editors during the Soviet period are explored, along with the analysis of previously unpublished issues of that period. Along with the press, the study also encompasses the organization and development of regional TV channels, analyzing the similarities and differences in content and form.

Keywords: press, regional newspapers, regional media, mass media, central newspapers

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