The first CICA Media Forum, dedicated to the theme “Building Trust through Media in a Polarized World,” opened in Azerbaijan's capital Baku on October 1, bringing together media and government representatives from CICA member states.

The forum is organized by the Media and Broadcasting Council and brings together government officials, heads of state institutions responsible for media and communications, media executives and other experts, according to Azertac.

Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, delivered President Ilham Aliyev’s address to the participants.

The forum provides a platform for representatives from CICA member states to exchange views and share experiences on the evolving media landscape, while exploring opportunities for cooperation aimed at strengthening mutual trust across the region.

A key focus of the discussions is the responsibility of modern media to provide accurate, reliable and impartial information.

The issue has gained greater importance as artificial intelligence and social media platforms rapidly reshape the information environment, creating new opportunities as well as challenges for the media industry.

The Baku forum is expected to facilitate dialogue on how media organizations can contribute to greater trust and cooperation in an increasingly interconnected and polarized information environment.