At its online meeting the Audiovisual Council has issued a warning to “Xazar TV” channel

On July 18, 2025 the Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan held an online meeting to discuss the content of "Qonaqcanli" program broadcast on the "Xazar TV" television channel on July 16, 2025.

In the mentioned program, during a discussion on family relations, the host asked a guest "Whose voice should be heard in the house? The man's or the woman's?". The guest answered: "A man's voice should heard in Azerbaijani families. You know, where there is female leadership, it seems to me that there is no religion or blessing. Women themselves should know that God created men superior... Of course, there should be a man's voice in the house. If he is a real man..."

The specialists of the Department for monitoring and analysis of audiovisual programs of the Audiovisual Council identified this dialogue as a violation of Article 14.1.4 of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Media", classifying them as promoting gender-based discrimination. Subsequently, in accordance with relevant procedures, this violation was also confirmed by the lawyers of the Audiovisual Council.

After wide discussions, the members of the Council unanimously agreed that the dialogue should be interpreted as promoting gender-based discrimination. Thus, the host's question has created the conditions for expressing opinions on the gender-based discrimination in the program. Also, the fact that the host did not react to the guest's opinions was assessed as giving opportunity to opinions that could promote gender discrimination.

As a result, the Audiovisual Council issued a warning to the "Xazar TV" channel and emphasized that all broadcasters must strictly adhere to the requirements of the law when addressing such topics in their programs.