149 years have passed since the establishment of the national press in Azerbaijan

Today is the day of the establishment of the national press in Azerbaijan.

On 22 July, 1875, when Hasan Bey Zardabi, one of the prominent representatives of the enlightenment movement of his time, started publishing the "Akinchi" newspaper, the foundation of Azerbaijan's national press was laid.

"Akinchi" laid the first foundation stone of a real national democratic and popular press in the Azerbaijani language. The newspaper, with only 56 issues, was the mirror of the nation and became the flag bearer of Azerbaijani journalism.

In the following years, newspapers and magazines such as "Ziya", "Kashkul", "Sharqi-rus", "Irshad", "Molla Nasraddin" published by prominent intellectuals continued the traditions of "Akinchi". The main goal of these press organizations was to fight against ignorance, injustice, and education. Azerbaijan's press, walking on a rich and honorable path, has passed through several stages. During the period of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (ADR), the foundation of a free press was laid as well as a new perspective on events.

Starting from the second half of the 1990s, the Azerbaijani press entered a new stage of development. This stage is also the period of Azerbaijan statehood and democratic state building.

The country has the highest level of attention and care for freedom of speech and press, mass media. President Ilham Aliyev signed essential decrees in order to develop free media, strengthen the material and technical base of the press, and improve the socio-economic condition of journalists.

In the 44-day Patriotic War, which began on 27 September, 2020, Azerbaijan won victory in the information war as well as on the battlefield.

Happy holiday, dear journalists! Let you pen and words be sharp!