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 the international television channel 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 UK 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 has served as News Development and Innovation Director at the international television channel ANEWZ since August 2024. Previously, he led the News Department at Azerbaijan’s public broadcaster, ITV.

During his time there, he introduced newsroom planning systems and mobile journalism practices and strengthened integration between television and digital platforms.

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 the acquisition of broadcast material and broadcasting rights. He has experience working with organisations including the EBU, BBC, AP, Reuters, Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency.

At ANEWZ, he leads the development of editorial strategies and systems, as well as technology-driven approaches to news production.

Patricia Pereira is Production Operations Director at ANEWZ, where she oversees production workflows, operational coordination and the preparation and delivery of content.

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.

Drawing on her experience across editorial and production roles, she manages teams, coordinates workflows and oversees day-to-day production.

Orkhan Amashov has served as Deputy Editor-in-Chief at the international television channel ANEWZ since August 2024. Previously, he served as Chief Political Analyst at Caliber.

At Caliber, he hosted Contemplations with Orkhan Amashov, analysing 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 on regional and international issues and leads discussions on these topics. He currently hosts Caucasus Now and the daily programme Context. He previously hosted Dialogue of Civilizations.

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 draws on her experience in international reporting and newsroom management to guide editorial operations and organise news production.

Victoria Dementyeva is a journalist and editor with more than 15 years of experience in international reporting. She has covered major international events, including the 2019 G20 Summit in Osaka, 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, part of the International Visitor Leadership Program, in 2016. The programmes focused on media ethics, press freedom and investigative journalism.

As Deputy News Director at ANEWZ, she draws on her international journalism and editorial experience in the newsroom’s daily operations.

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 of the channel’s digital platforms, as well as the production and publication of content.

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 the international television channel ANEWZ. She leads the development of the channel’s business strategy and its growth initiatives.

Her experience spans strategic partnerships, project management and the coordination of multiple stakeholders across media, corporate and institutional sectors.

At ANEWZ, she leads the development of regional and international partnerships and the identification of new commercial opportunities. She builds business relationships that support the channel’s long-term development. She also coordinates projects involving multiple stakeholders, helping align strategic collaborations with the company’s wider objectives.

Anzula Parvizqizi is a journalist and media professional with extensive professional experience in journalism and higher education. She joined ANEWZ as an editor in November 2025 and currently leads the Azerbaijani digital newsroom.

She began her career in 2004 as a newspaper reporter before joining Baku State University’s Press and Information Department as a specialist. From 2010 to 2019, she served as editor of the Baku University newspaper. In 2019, she founded a student news website aimed at developing the practical skills of journalism students.

She studied journalism at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels at Baku State University. She also continues her academic work at the university’s Department of New Media and Communication Theory.

In 2024, she completed the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI for Scholars) academic programme in the United States. Following the programme, she began working as a media literacy trainer.

Parvizqizi is the author of academic articles on media and Azerbaijan–Türkiye relations. She has also translated a number of works on media, philosophy and socio-political issues from English into Azerbaijani.

She was awarded the “150th Anniversary of the Azerbaijani National Press (1875–2025)” Jubilee Medal on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s national press.