"In Azerbaijan I was amazed by ..... " "Al Jazeera" representative

Interviews 17:34 07.01.2019

Al Jazeera Media Network producer Phoung Y. Nguyen has recently been to Azerbaijan. The guest, who visited Baku and the regions, also visited the International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) and met with the President of IEPF Umud Mirzayev. After the meeting, she shared her impressions with Eurasia Diary.

- You have big experience in major media outlets such as CNN and Al Jazeera, you also traveled to many countries around the world. Are you satisfied with your expectations about Azerbaijan?

- As a media representative, we have little information about your country's policy. It is very interesting how this country opens to the world and how it attracts the investment. I have little information about the history of the country, but I would like to learn about the struggle for independence and other events. We see Azerbaijan as a politically quiet country on the Caspian Sea coast.

It is interesting for me to see the countries with developed tourism. I was very pleased to see these features here. Not only the capital but also the development of surrounding areas. For example, we have been in Shahdag these days.

It's great to see different peoples out of the Baku. When we traveled to the northern zone, we saw Lezghins. I was delighted to see those different ethnicities live together and work together.

Before I came here I thought of Baku as Dubai. We wanted a small, economically strong state without debt. But when I came in Azerbaijan, I was amazed. Here are some more interesting things. You see Mosques, but it is not a typical Muslim country. There are bars and restaurants on the streets in Baku. Here you can see the impact of Europe. Here is a mix of many different cultures and religions. You can see different architectural monuments.

- As a media spokesman, in your opinion, how seriously does society take news?

- I have been working at Western-oriented CNN and currently working for Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera covers a lot of stories, which major western networks don’t publish. That’s why I am proud of working there. 

I think the western network is paying attention to Azerbaijan in the business aspect. For example, they follow investment policy in the country, its development after gaining independence, what stands in the root of political stability in the country, and etc.

Products of gigantic bodies are also regarded as truth. Example for CNN, Reuters and so on. Their information is more convincing to people. However, if I read a post in Reuters, I always check it out and read other sources to clarify. The truth is not in CNN, Aljazeera or Reuters, the truth must be found among the writings.

- Do you perceive the concept of "Information War" and see yourself as a soldier of this war?

- As a journalist, I hope, no. Each media network, even Al-Jazeera, has the position. I think that the best way to write is to report the truth, what happens, what people say from both sides. It is not my job to analyze the situation. Let’s leave this to the analysts and professors.

The information war is not something I involved before. Information comes from all over the place. I put stories when something happens important while many don’t pay enough attention. For example the Yemen crisis. It is very important and we cover it in our media while many others do not. We will continue to write about it. We are trying to touch more conflicts.

- Do you intend to write about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict?

- It's really interesting for me. We have limited information about what has happened there. Mass media does not give enough information about the conflict. I need to learn more about the conflict.

- What can you tell about fraudulent news, provocation? Do you think it has an influence on society and politics?

- In order to avoid this, you need to find the balance, and know what to say on the other hand. Here are some different perspectives in Baku. It is not possible to analyze the country using only one source.

Azerbaijan takes measures to turn Khankandi into safe city - VİDEO

News line

Crocus City Hall terrorists took drugs before attack - law enforcement agencies
Crocus City Hall terrorists took drugs before attack - law enforcement agencies
18:33 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan, UN Development Program mull future co-op
18:00 28.03.2024
An Independent Trade Union Established within International Eurasia Press Fund - First in NGO sector - PHOTOS
17:39 28.03.2024
Italian PM condemns Macron for idea of sending troops to Ukraine
Italian PM condemns Macron for idea of sending troops to Ukraine
17:23 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan lends clarity to color requirement for taxis
17:02 28.03.2024
Isaac Herzog: Israel has no greater friend than US, and US has no greater friend than Israel
Isaac Herzog: Israel has no greater friend than US, and US has no greater friend than Israel
16:45 28.03.2024
Nigerian army eliminates over 200 militants in 2 weeks
16:30 28.03.2024
Armored Vehicle Coalition for Ukraine launched in Poland
Armored Vehicle Coalition for Ukraine launched in Poland
16:15 28.03.2024
Russia strengthens transport security measures after terror attack at Crocus City Hall
Russia strengthens transport security measures after terror attack at Crocus City Hall
15:55 28.03.2024
Türkiye plays an important role between Russia and Ukraine - says political scientist Ismail Cingoz
15:45 28.03.2024
2 schoolchildren detained in France on suspicion of sending bomb threats
15:35 28.03.2024
Ski resort in Georgia hit by avalanche
Ski resort in Georgia hit by avalanche
15:26 28.03.2024
Another protest against French colonialism held in New Caledonia, Azerbaijani flag raised
Another protest against French colonialism held in New Caledonia, Azerbaijani flag raised
15:15 28.03.2024
Media: US did not transfer all information about terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall to Russia
15:00 28.03.2024
Movement ‘Together’ calls on Armenia’s parliamentary forces to express vote of no confidence in Pashinyan
14:41 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan to participate in international trade fair in Istanbul
Azerbaijan to participate in international trade fair in Istanbul
14:32 28.03.2024
Le Pen accuses French government of fraud
14:22 28.03.2024
Armenian Government Grapples with Internal Division on Village Return Issue - Ishkhan Verdiyan talks on Ednews
14:12 28.03.2024
Ammunition found along route of Crocus City Hall terrorists
Ammunition found along route of Crocus City Hall terrorists
13:41 28.03.2024
Expert Ilyas Huseynov Predicts Peaceful Return of these territories to Azerbaijan
13:20 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan weather forecast for March 29
Azerbaijan weather forecast for March 29
12:55 28.03.2024
Russian MFA concerned about upcoming Armenia-US-EU meeting
12:23 28.03.2024
Secret Points of Pashinyan's Meeting with French Representative: Is Peace Agreement Signing Imminent?
12:00 28.03.2024
Armenia announces recruitment of border guards to work at Zvartnots
Armenia announces recruitment of border guards to work at Zvartnots
11:47 28.03.2024
The US-Armenia-EU Joint Conference is a part of the pressure plan on Azerbaijan - MP Konul Nurullayeva
11:30 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan’s central bank reduces discount rate
Azerbaijan’s central bank reduces discount rate
11:23 28.03.2024
CSTO chief: ‘Yerevan doesn’t participate in our work, but there are no statements about suspension’
11:13 28.03.2024
Ammunition found in Khankandi
Ammunition found in Khankandi
11:00 28.03.2024
Russia had been aware of preparation for terrorist attack at Crocus - says intelligience chief
10:46 28.03.2024
Scholtz reveals date of his last telephone conversation with Putin
Scholtz reveals date of his last telephone conversation with Putin
10:33 28.03.2024
Head of the SSS: France is inciting Armenia to a new war
10:21 28.03.2024
Are we in the brink of World War III? - Pundit talks on Ednews
10:10 28.03.2024
Azerbaijan's National Security: Reflecting on 105 Years of Defending Sovereignty
09:55 28.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev: Rasmussen fell in forgetfulness to attach payment to his report
09:35 28.03.2024
Hand grenades found in Kalbajar
09:25 28.03.2024
Titanic 'door' prop that kept Rose alive sells for $718,750
Titanic 'door' prop that kept Rose alive sells for $718,750
08:50 28.03.2024
Twitch's biggest streamer diagnosed with cancer diagnosis at 32
23:55 27.03.2024
Azerbaijan's former Minister of National Security passes away
22:41 27.03.2024
Russia has no unfriendly states, only unfriendly elites — Putin
22:25 27.03.2024
Erdogan vows to make efforts for implementation of UN resolution regarding Gaza
Erdogan vows to make efforts for implementation of UN resolution regarding Gaza
21:44 27.03.2024
Hamısı