Baku: A forum titled ‘Media of the Future: In the Footsteps of Akinchi’ was held for young journalists on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Azerbaijani national press, jointly organized by ‘Azerconnect Group’ and the Media Development Agency.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the purpose of the forum was to support the professional development of young people in the media field, organize meetings and exchange of ideas with experienced media representatives, and enhance practical knowledge related to the application of digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
The event was attended by representatives from the public and private sectors, leading media organizations of the country, higher education institutions, and young people studying journalism and communication.
Emil Masimov, CEO of Azerconnect Group, delivered an opening speech at the forum, highlighting the reshaping of the media concept by digital technologies and new communication tools. He emphasized the decisive role of the younger generation in this transformation. Ahmad Ismayilov, Executive Director of the Media Development Agency, noted the favorable environment in Azerbaijan for young people to express themselves and realize their potential.
The panel session titled ‘A Look at the Media of the Future: Journalism as a Profession of the Future,’ moderated by Saida Shafiyeva, Head of Communications at the Media Development Agency, featured discussions on innovative approaches in the media field, the impact of artificial intelligence, digital transformation processes, and essential competencies for future journalists. Contributions came from Ramin Jafarov, head of ‘BAKU TV’; Orkhan Mammadli, head of ‘APA TV’; Aziz Akhundov, Director of Corporate Communications at ‘Azerconnect Group’; Gunel Abilova, Editor-in-Chief of ‘Qafqazinfo.az’; and Ulvi Safarov, Editor-in-Chief of ‘Oxu.az.’
During a one-on-one meeting on ‘Media Professionalism and Next-Generation Journalism,’ Vusala Mahirgizi, head of APA Media Group, spoke about the importance of strengthening ethical principles, integrating technological innovations, and establishing effective public dialogue.
Saadat Ismayilova, head of the Human Resources Department of ‘Global Media Group,’ conducted training on ‘Employment opportunities for youth in modern media,’ while Abdulla Abdullayev, SMM and AI trainer at ‘SAT Group,’ gave training on ‘The role of artificial intelligence in journalism.’ These trainings provided students with valuable insights into the role of innovative tools, professionalism requirements, and future career opportunities in journalism.
Participants also had the opportunity to meet with well-known media representatives to discuss future development prospects based on real experiences. The forum saw participation from about 100 young people from ADA University, Baku State University, Baku Slavic University, and the Azerbaijan University of Languages.