The Audiovisual Council has issued a warning to the “MTV” channel for broadcasting content that undermines the family institution

On December 17, 2025 the Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan held an online meeting to discuss a recent violation on the "MTV" channel.

During the "Hosh sabah" ("Good morning") program broadcast on the "MTV" channel on December 9, 2025 discussions were held on the visible and invisible aspects of family life, challenges in men-women relationships, social pressures affecting modern families, and the changing roles within the family. One of the guests participating in the program expressed her position about divorces stating that it is development. In response, another guest stated: "This is not development; it is immorality". The presentation of divorce as either a form of development or immorality, and the failure of the channel's representative (in this case, the host) to intervene appropriately in such statements, was recorded by the Audiovisual Council's monitoring specialists as a violation of the legislation. Following the established procedures, the matter was reviewed, and the Council’s legal experts confirmed the violation.

During the meeting, the members of the Audiovisual Council discussed the matter in detail. While it is possible to talk about divorce and hold discussions on the topic, it was noted that presenting divorce as "development", or on the other hand, equating divorce with immorality is unacceptable. It was further underlined that Article 17 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan explicitly defines the family as the core unit of society and places it under state protection. While the Family Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan recognizes the legal right to divorce, but divorce is not presented as a positive social value, and the protection of the family is considered a priority. Members of the Council concluded that the assertion "divorce is development" contradicts the purpose and spirit of several provisions of the Family Code, as well as the Laws "On Media" and "On the Protection of Children from Harmful Information". Accordingly, the Audiovisual Council has issued a strong warning to the "MTV" channel regarding aforementioned broadcast.

The Audiovisual Council once again calls on all broadcasters to comply strictly with legislative requirements, strengthen editorial responsibility and respect public values during broadcasts. They should also exercise caution when addressing sensitive topics, particularly those relating to family, children and marriage.