On July 19, Sami al-Hajj, Director of the Al Jazeera Center for Public Liberties and Human Rights, received the honorary award of the International Eurasian Press Fund (IEPF) at the IEPF headquarters, Ednews reports.

Al-Hajj, a prominent journalist who spent seven years imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay, was recognized for his significant contributions to the development of long-term cooperation between IEPF and Al Jazeera, as well as for his efforts in disseminating objective information from the region on an international scale. The award was presented by IEPF president Umud Mirzayev.

Since 2012, IEPF has been collaborating closely with Al Jazeera, one of the world's most influential media networks, through various events, conferences, and global initiatives. Al Jazeera is renowned not only for its TV channels but also for its research center, documentaries, and social programs, focusing on delivering information promptly from conflict regions, broadcasting important news objectively, and advocating for journalists' rights and human rights.

In 2019, IEPF organized the production of five unique presentation films about Azerbaijan with Al Jazeera. During the 44-day war for the liberation of Karabakh, IEPF supported Al Jazeera's media team in preparing 42 reports from war zones and produced the first international report on the enemy's provocation-terrorist activities in four languages. IEPF's "Eurasia Diary" analytical portal also participated closely in these activities. A memorandum of cooperation was signed between IEPF and Al Jazeera in March 2022, resulting in approximately 10 joint training sessions for journalists. Al Jazeera has also produced regular reports on landmines, Islamophobia, and tolerance in Azerbaijan.

In March of this year, extensive discussions were held regarding the expansion of cooperation between IEPF and Al Jazeera, focusing on topics such as COP29, the return to Karabakh, and broadcasting Al Jazeera channels on Azerbaijani TV. A new memorandum signed in May includes plans for covering significant events in Azerbaijan, organizing training for local and international media representatives, and executing joint events in various fields.

The award ceremony for Sami al-Hajj included a delegation of 12 people, including the management of Al Jazeera Media Network. Among the participants were Dr. Mostefa Souag, Director General of Al Jazeera Media Network; Mr. Salah Negm, Director of Al Jazeera English News Channel; Ms. Eman Al Amri, Director of Al Jazeera Media Institute; Mr. Ezzeddine Abdelmoula, Manager of Research at Al Jazeera Centre for Studies; Mr. Omar Jalal, Office Manager of the Director General of Al Jazeera Media Network; Mr. Mohamed Erraji, Head of Media Studies at Al Jazeera Centre for Studies; Dr. Thembisa Fakude, Chief Executive Officer of the Mail and Guardian Newspaper (M&G); and the producer of the English channel, Aysaba Mirzayeva,  Head of Digital News Gathering & Verification at Al Jazeera's "Sanad" Agency; Mr. Amr AlKazaz.

Representatives from Al Jazeera visited Azerbaijan with IEPF's mediation to participate in the "Shusha Global Media Forum" organized by the MEDIA Agency on July 20-22.