On July 14, the Azerbaijani Parliament (Milli Məclis) adopted amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses, introducing penalties for print media outlets operating without registration in the official state media registry.
According to the newly added Article 381.15 of the Code, print media entities that operate without being listed in the Media Registry may face the following fines:
- Individuals: Between 500 and 1,000 AZN
- Officials: Between 1,500 and 2,500 AZN
- Legal entities: Between 3,000 and 5,000 AZN
The amendment was adopted in the third reading and will soon be enacted into law.
The regulation follows the controversial Media Law passed on December 30, 2021, and signed into effect by President Ilham Aliyev in February 2022. The law sets out the organizational, legal, and economic framework of media activity in Azerbaijan, governing the collection, production, and dissemination of public information.
Among its provisions, the law mandates the creation of a Media Registry, restricts journalistic activity to those officially accredited by the government, and prohibits the use of hidden cameras or recording equipment. The introduction of mandatory registration and centralized ID cards for journalists has sparked widespread criticism from independent media professionals.
Ahead of the law’s adoption, many independent journalists and media outlets staged protests, warning that the law would severely restrict press freedom and facilitate further state control over media.
The implementation of fines for unregistered print media signals a tightening of government oversight over independent journalism and raises further concerns about freedom of expression in Azerbaijan.
Azərbaycan dili 
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