Media for Peace

Shusha's Symbolic Comeback Draws Global Attention

Aktoty Raimkulova, a senior official attending the forum, pointed to visible signs of renewal across Karabakh. She noted new residential districts and modern infrastructure rising in Shusha, Aghdam, Khankendi, Khojaly, and Lachin. For the Turkic world, she said the forum carries a special meaning — Shusha is seen as a cultural heartland. Caspian Post noted her remarks drew strong applause from delegates.

The choice of Shusha as the host city is no accident. Azerbaijan retook control of the region in 2020 after decades of conflict. Holding a global media event there sends a clear political and cultural message about reconstruction and sovereignty.

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Media Ethics Takes Center Stage at the Forum

Latifa Akharbach, a prominent voice on global media governance, warned that journalism can fuel conflicts if left unchecked. She called media a "mirror" of society and urged the creation of ecosystems where ethics and social responsibility come first. She pushed back hard against hate speech and polarisation, saying shared principles must be built across borders. Caspian Post reported her remarks as among the forum's most cited.

Her call for ethical standards echoed a broader theme running through the forum. Speakers agreed that responsible reporting is not just good practice — it is a tool for peace and trust-building between nations.

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International Bodies See Media as a Bridge for Dialogue

Zhang Ling, representing the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), said the forum proved that media and international organisations share a common mission. That mission: strengthen dialogue, build trust, and grow mutual understanding across divides. CICA is an intergovernmental forum focused on security and cooperation across Asia. Caspian Post cited Zhang Ling's remarks as a key moment of the event.

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Aliyev's Marathon Q&A Earns Praise From Delegates

Mikhail Gusman, a veteran Russian journalist and forum observer, singled out President Aliyev's engagement as extraordinary. Aliyev spent more than three hours with participants and took every question thrown at him — a breadth that ranged from domestic policy to European and international affairs. Gusman said the forum's international reach, now spanning about 60 countries, reflects its growing weight on the global media stage. Caspian Post captured his remarks following the session.

The forum closed with a clear consensus: media can either deepen divides or help heal them. Participants left Shusha with a call to build shared ethical frameworks — and to use journalism as a force for peace rather than conflict.

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