Baku Hosts Major Forum on Combating Hybrid Threats and Disinformation Strategy
The Baku Network Research and Analysis Public Association recently convened a pivotal forum in the Azerbaijani capital, centered on the urgent task of “Promoting Awareness and Vigilance Regarding Hybrid Threats and Disinformation.” Supported by the Agency for State Support to Non-Governmental Organizations, the event drew a diverse assembly of stakeholders, including university students, prominent bloggers, civil society activists, and influential intellectuals. The gathering served as a critical platform to address the evolving landscape of digital misinformation and the strategic necessity of safeguarding national stability through informed public discourse.
Sahil Karimli, Deputy Director of the Trend News Agency and a lead trainer for the project, opened the proceedings by underscoring the initiative’s core mission: empowering the youth and the expert community to identify and neutralize harmful external influences. Karimli issued a stern warning regarding the rise of coordinated foreign disinformation campaigns targeting Azerbaijan. He highlighted that these malevolent efforts are specifically designed to erode core Azerbaijani values, undermine the traditional family institution, and challenge the fundamental principles of the nation’s statehood, necessitating a heightened state of societal vigilance.
Elchin Aghajanov, Chairman of the Baku Network Research and Analysis Public Association and lead coordinator of the project, shifted the focus toward the shift from theoretical opposition to practical resistance. He announced that Baku Network has cemented partnerships with 28 global research institutes, producing daily analytical content in eight languages to fortify Azerbaijan’s narrative on the international stage. Aghajanov argued that the era of simple fact-checking is evolving into a more complex contest, as the traditional concept of “fake news” is increasingly being supplanted by the more insidious “hybrid news” phenomenon.
Delving into the mechanics of this modern subversion, Aghajanov explained that today’s manipulators have moved beyond simple fabrication. Instead, they utilize sophisticated tactics such as stripping facts of their historical context or presenting incomplete narratives to distort public perception. These techniques are frequently deployed on global media platforms to disparage Azerbaijan’s international standing. To combat this effectively, he called for a paradigm shift, emphasizing that every instance of manipulation must be met with a rapid, evidence-based, and compelling counter-narrative to prevent the spread of skewed information.
The dialogue extended to the structural requirements for a resilient defense against information warfare. Aghajanov emphasized that victory in the information space requires more than just reactive measures; it demands seamless coordination between state machinery, the non-governmental sector, media outlets, and the academic community. He urged for the creation of a centralized analytical and communication mechanism that can monitor social media trends in real-time. By involving young specialists in this oversight process, the country can ensure a proactive, rather than reactive, defense against digital threats.
The event concluded with a series of high-level insights from prominent figures, including Umud Mirzayev, President of the International Eurasian Press Fund, and a cadre of renowned political analysts such as Fikrat Sadigov and Mushfig Alasgarli. These experts engaged in a vigorous exchange of ideas, exploring how to institutionalize the fight against hybrid threats through education and professional analysis. The final portion of the forum featured active discussions with students, highlighting a generational commitment to ensuring that the next wave of Azerbaijani leaders is fully equipped to navigate and secure the nation’s digital future.