Print and Online Media Regulations

Print Media Regulations

• Print media entities (individuals or companies) must adhere to publication regulations (Article 59).
• State bodies (except specified ones like Milli Majlis, Constitutional Court, and Supreme Court) cannot interfere with print media entities.
• Periodical publications (newspapers, magazines) have requirements for publication frequency and content categorization.
• Newspapers classifications are based on frequency (weekly, triweekly, daily), and content (socio-political, thematic).
• Nationwide and regional distinctions exist based on newspaper distribution.
• Newspapers can have breaks and still be considered continuous.
• Magazines and other periodicals have specific criteria.

Online Media Regulations

• Online media entities (individuals or companies) must disclose website information (name, TIN, domain owner, managing editor, address) (Article 60).
• Specific information must be displayed on the “contact us” page (Article 60.3).
• Publications must display the date of the first publication and keep it consistent.
• Online media entities must publish at least 20 pieces of information per day for 20 days per month to be considered consistent.

Information Agencies

• Information agencies are subject to the rules that apply to other media entities (Article 61).

Establishment of Media Entities

• No permission from state bodies is needed to establish print or online media entities.
• Applicants must apply to the relevant executive authority seven days before releasing print media.
• Different application procedures exist for religious media.
• Names of state bodies or prominent figures are prohibited in media entity names (Article 62).

Print Media Requirements

• Each print media issue must include specific information (name, TIN, managing editor's details, publication date, postal code, circulation, price, and contact information).
• This information cannot be falsified or omitted (Article 63).

Print Media Distribution

• Distribution can occur through editorial offices, publishers, communication enterprises etc on contract.
• Print media can be for commercial or non-commercial purposes, Non-commercial media should be labelled "Free".
• Distribution suspension or confiscation is only possible through a court order (Article 64).

Suspension and Termination of Media Activities

• Print and online media activities can be suspended for up to two months by court order in various cases (e.g., management changes, repeated offenses, foreign funding).
• If online media is suspended, notification must be posted on the website.
• The relevant executive authority can initiate termination for reasons like failing to address violations within a defined timeline.

Foreign Print Media and Editorial Materials

• Import and distribution of foreign print media violating laws may be prohibited (related to Article 14 and Azerbaijan's Law on Information Protection).
• Courts can remove already distributed, non-compliant materials.
• Media entities must retain editorial materials for one year.