On 26 March, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns about the legislation recently passed in Azerbaijan with the stated aim of fighting against coronavirus disinformation, reported Radio Free Europe. 

“I fully understand the need to combat false information during a health emergency, but the amendment to Azerbaijan's law on information should not impede the work of journalists and their ability to report on the pandemic. The media has a key role to play in providing important information to the public in this situation and to combat 'fake news' on the crisis,” he stated.

He added that the legislation was far-reaching because it extends to publication of information unrelated to the coronavirus pandemic that could lead to situations deemed by the authorities as “dangerous to the public.” 

The amendment was passed on 17 March. It said that the owner of any Internet information resource is required to prevent the publication of false information online. This entailed information that “poses a threat to the life, health, and property of the population, or public safety,” as well as to “the work of life support facilities, financial, transport, communication, industrial, energy, and social infrastructure.”

Désir also raised his concerns over the media landscape in Armenia a day earlier (Caucasus Watch reported).