About Us

Rufat Hamzayev is a media executive and journalist with more than 16 years of experience in broadcasting, editorial leadership and media management.
As Executive Director of ANEWZ, he leads the strategic development of Azerbaijan’s international English-language news and analysis channel, overseeing its editorial, operational and international growth. Since its establishment in 2024, he has led ANEWZ’s development as a multi-platform international media organisation, expanding its global network and partnerships.
Before ANEWZ, Hamzayev held senior editorial and executive positions at Azerbaijan Television and Radio Broadcasting CJSC (AzTV), progressing from reporter and editor to News Director and, from 2020 to 2024, Deputy Chairman, following his appointment by Presidential Decree.
Alongside his executive career, he has authored and presented political and current-affairs programmes and produced major documentary projects, including *The President. Restoration of Sovereignty* (2023), the *Confidential* series (2023), and *Green – Not Just a Color* (2024).
Hamzayev holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Journalism from Baku State University and a degree in International Relations from the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He has also lectured at Baku State University.
In 2025, he was awarded Azerbaijan’s “Tərəqqi” (Progress) Medal for his contribution to the development of national media.

Guy Shone joined AnewZ as Editor-in-Chief in August 2024 and now serves as Global Chief Editor. Before joining AnewZ, he was Euronews Bureau Chief in Qatar and presented the international business programme The Exchange and the interview programme The Dialogue.
Earlier in his career, he worked across BBC television and radio services in the United Kingdom, served as a political analyst for SABC News and wrote about economics for British newspapers including Metro and The Sun.
Before entering journalism, Shone worked as an economist, holding senior positions including Global Head of Research at Old Mutual plc and Head of Research at the UK government organisation MPAS.

Fikrat Dolukhanov joined AnewZ in August 2024 as News Development and Innovation Director. Previously, he led the News Department at Azerbaijan’s public broadcaster, ITV, where he introduced newsroom planning systems, mobile journalism practices and greater integration between television and digital operations.
As a journalist, he has covered major international events including the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Munich Security Conference, European Political Community summits, COP28 and trilateral talks between Azerbaijan, Russia and Armenia.
His background also includes media production, international relations and content acquisition, with experience working alongside organisations such as the EBU, BBC, Reuters, AP, Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency. At AnewZ, he develops editorial strategies, newsroom systems and technology-led approaches to news coverage.

Patricia Pereira is Production Operations Director at AnewZ, where she oversees production workflows, operational coordination and content delivery.
She has more than 20 years of experience across television production, journalism, digital media and communications. During her career, she has worked as a producer, journalist, presenter and editor, contributing to projects for organisations including MSN Portugal and Global Media Group.
She has also produced television, corporate and branded content for clients including Microsoft, Siemens, Repsol and Total Angola. Her experience across editorial and production roles informs her practical and collaborative approach to managing teams, coordinating workflows and meeting the daily demands of television production.

Orkhan Amashov joined AnewZ as Deputy Editor-in-Chief in August 2024. Previously, he served as Chief Political Analyst at Caliber, where he presented Contemplations with Orkhan Amashov, a programme examining the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process and wider regional developments.
With a background in law, his work focuses on the legal and geopolitical dimensions of international affairs, particularly developments affecting the South Caucasus.
At AnewZ, he contributes analysis and leads discussions on regional and international issues. He has hosted programmes including Dialogue of Civilizations, Caucasus Now and the daily current-affairs programme Context.

Nadiya Dermanska is a television journalist, producer, presenter and media manager with international experience across Ukraine, Belgium, France, Poland and the United States.
She has covered major global events as a special correspondent and held management positions at Euronews Ukraine and Ukraine’s international broadcaster, FreeDom TV. She has also completed professional training with the Reuters Foundation, Deutsche Welle Akademie and BBC Media Action.
Dermanska began her journalism career at the age of 17 as a trainee at a regional television station in Ukraine. At AnewZ, she brings her experience in international reporting and newsroom management to the channel’s editorial leadership and coverage.

Victoria Dementyeva is a journalist and editor with more than 15 years of experience in international reporting.
She has covered major global events including the 2019 G20 Osaka Summit, European Union summits and annual OSCE Ministerial Council meetings.
Dementyeva participated in the Open World Program in the United States in 2010 and the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists in 2016, part of the International Visitor Leadership Program. The programmes focused on media ethics, press freedom and investigative journalism.
As Deputy News Director at AnewZ, she brings her international reporting and editorial experience to the channel’s newsroom operations and daily news coverage.

Victoria has participated in prestigious journalism programs, such as the Open World Program (U.S., 2010) and the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists (U.S., 2016), part of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), focusing on media ethics, press freedom, and investigative journalism.

Jennifer E. Bragg is Head of Digital at AnewZ. She has 20 years of newsroom experience across China, Russia, Qatar and the United States.
Her career spans television and digital media, including newsgathering, live news production and documentary work. She has received two awards for programme editing from internationally recognised industry festivals.
Bragg holds an MA in International Broadcast Journalism from City St George’s, University of London. At AnewZ, she leads the digital team and oversees the development and delivery of journalism across the channel’s digital platforms.

Alisultan Sultanzade is a journalist, presenter and digital content creator at AnewZ. He hosts Fact Check, a programme that examines misinformation and tests widely circulated claims against the evidence.
His work also includes investigative documentaries and visual explainers covering politics, economics and science. Working across television and digital platforms, he combines research, presentation and visual storytelling to make complex subjects clear, accurate and accessible.

Rena Jafarova is Business Development Director at AnewZ, leading the channel’s business development strategy and growth initiatives.
Her experience spans strategic partnerships, project management and complex coordination across media, corporate and institutional sectors.
At AnewZ, she develops regional and international partnerships, identifies new commercial opportunities and builds relationships that support the channel’s long-term development. She also coordinates projects involving multiple stakeholders, helping align strategic partnerships with the company’s wider objectives.

Anzula Parvizgizi is a media professional with extensive experience in journalism and academia.
She currently works as an Editor at ANEWZ. She began her career in 2004 as a newspaper reporter before joining Baku State University’s Press and Information Department. In 2010, she became editor of the Baku University newspaper. In 2019, she founded Azerbaijan’s first student news website to give journalism students practical experience.
She completed her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies in journalism at Baku State University, where she currently teaches in the Department of New Media and Communication Theory. In 2024, she completed the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Scholars programme in the United States. After completing the programme, she began working as a media literacy trainer.
She was awarded the “150th Anniversary of the Azerbaijani National Press (1875–2025)” Jubilee Medal in recognition of her contribution to Azerbaijani media.