AN OVERVIEW OF AZERBAIJANI MEDIA WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF DEMOCRACYBASED MEDIA THEORIES

Within the scope of this study, the media structure in Azerbaijan is examined through the lens of democracy-based media theories, and the historical and theoretical dimensions of the relationship between media and democracy are analyzed. The study focuses on the media’s role in supporting core democratic values such as freedom, equality, and participation; evaluations are made from the perspectives of liberal-democratic, social responsibility, participatory, and radical democratic media theories. The historical development of Azerbaijani media is addressed from a broad perspective, spanning from the 19th century to the present day, with a particular comparison between the Soviet era and the post-independence media structure. Although certain efforts toward pluralism in the media landscape have been observed in the post-independence period, the study emphasizes that a centralized governance approach and an inadequate legal framework are key factors limiting press freedom and pluralism. Despite the increase in private media organizations, financial dependencies and repressive regulations are identified as obstacles to the development of independent journalism. It has been found that censorship mechanisms are currently maintained through legal and administrative means, and critical journalists face economic and legal pressures. In the framework of democracy-based media theories, the media conditions in Azerbaijan are evaluated, and the weaknesses of the current media structure are revealed in terms of key elements such as press freedom, the functioning of public discussion platforms, and pluralism. Through literature review and document analysis methods, the study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of media policies and practices in the context of democratic values.