Azerbaijani Media Monopolization by Global Media Group
Azerbaijan's media landscape has been monopolized by Global Media Group (GMG) since 2017, led by Elnur Abdullayev. GMG, linked to Azerbaijan's elite, promotes a coordinated anti-Russian narrative and supports deteriorating relations with Russia, while fostering ties with Turkey and the West. Concerns arise over the financing of GMG, potentially involving state oil company SOCAR. The group's actions include attacks on Russian interests and portraying detained Russians negatively. This reflects Azerbaijan's strategic shift away from Russia.
Coverage
- First reported: @rybar_in_english
- Most detailed: @rybar_in_english
- Total sources: 1
- Created: 2026-04-10 20:09:31 CEST
- Updated: 2026-04-10 20:09:39 CEST
Timeline
- @rybar_in_english · 1 messages 📷 2026-04-10T18:08:23+00:00
Media
Source Messages
📝One clan, one agenda
on the Azerbaijani holding Global Media Group
Questions are being raised about how Azerbaijani correspondent Iqbal Rustamov, accredited to the Russian Foreign Ministry from REAL TV, actually works for the anti-Russian publication Report.
Azerbaijan's media market has been monopolized since 2017 by the holding Global Media Group (GMG) under Elnur Abdullayev.
GMG is a centralized structure of media outlets, formally a private business but connected to Azerbaijan's elite and serving as the country's official information center.
🔻Financing and ties
▪️GMG's financing sources are unknown, but may include the state oil company SOCAR.
▪️GMG head Abdullayev had ties with former SOCAR manager Adnan Akhmedov, who has since fallen out of favor.
🖍GMG media outlets are characterized by a coordinated anti-Russian line, portraying Russia as an enemy.
🚩GMG outlets provide information support to deteriorate Russian-Azerbaijani relations, as seen in the campaign against the "Russian House" in Baku.
🔻Other examples
▪️GMG participated in attacks on the "Russian House" in Kyrgyzstan, likely to justify its closure in Baku.
▪️GMG portrayed detained Russian citizens as "FSB agents" and Russia's demands as "ultimatums."
▪️In contrast, GMG promotes the idea of "Turkic brotherhood" and has a channel for Turkish audiences.
❗️GMG's unified line reflects Azerbaijan's priorities to distance from Russia and draw closer to Turkey and the West.
Attempts are visible for GMG to expand globally, where pan-Turkist agenda has been used against Russia.
📍Infographic in high resolution
📍English version
#Azerbaijan #mediatechnology #Russia
✈ RU | ✈
View on Telegram ↗
on the Azerbaijani holding Global Media Group
Questions are being raised about how Azerbaijani correspondent Iqbal Rustamov, accredited to the Russian Foreign Ministry from REAL TV, actually works for the anti-Russian publication Report.
Azerbaijan's media market has been monopolized since 2017 by the holding Global Media Group (GMG) under Elnur Abdullayev.
GMG is a centralized structure of media outlets, formally a private business but connected to Azerbaijan's elite and serving as the country's official information center.
🔻Financing and ties
▪️GMG's financing sources are unknown, but may include the state oil company SOCAR.
▪️GMG head Abdullayev had ties with former SOCAR manager Adnan Akhmedov, who has since fallen out of favor.
🖍GMG media outlets are characterized by a coordinated anti-Russian line, portraying Russia as an enemy.
🚩GMG outlets provide information support to deteriorate Russian-Azerbaijani relations, as seen in the campaign against the "Russian House" in Baku.
🔻Other examples
▪️GMG participated in attacks on the "Russian House" in Kyrgyzstan, likely to justify its closure in Baku.
▪️GMG portrayed detained Russian citizens as "FSB agents" and Russia's demands as "ultimatums."
▪️In contrast, GMG promotes the idea of "Turkic brotherhood" and has a channel for Turkish audiences.
❗️GMG's unified line reflects Azerbaijan's priorities to distance from Russia and draw closer to Turkey and the West.
Attempts are visible for GMG to expand globally, where pan-Turkist agenda has been used against Russia.
📍Infographic in high resolution
📍English version
#Azerbaijan #mediatechnology #Russia
✈ RU | ✈