What to watch at Shusha Global Media Forum 2026

The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum gets underway on 13 July in Azerbaijan under the theme "The Mission of the Media in Promoting Peace: Restoring Truth and Rebuilding Trust". The event brings together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 53 countries.

This year's forum is expected to focus on the role of the media in peacebuilding, combating disinformation and navigating the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI).

Here are three key developments to watch over the two-day event.

President Ilham Aliyev's Q&A

One of the most anticipated moments of the forum will be the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev's annual question-and-answer session with international journalists.

Having participated in every edition of the forum since its launch, Aliyev has used the platform to address a wide range of issues extending beyond the media landscape. The topics discussed included regional security, foreign policy, peace efforts in the South Caucasus and broader geopolitical developments.

With several regional and international issues dominating headlines, this year's session is expected to generate some of the forum's most closely watched announcements.

Discussions led by media leaders

The forum will once again bring together an influential international audience, with participants representing around 30 international news agencies, more than 60 leading media organisations and nearly 10 international organisations and companies.

Across six high-level discussions, delegates will examine topics ranging from peacebuilding and media diplomacy to urban reconstruction, cross-border media cooperation and coordinated responses to disinformation.

The programme reflects the forum's growing role as a platform for international dialogue on journalism and strategic communication, while reinforcing Shusha's position as a global meeting point for the media industry.

AI, disinformation and media responsibility

Artificial intelligence and the future of responsible journalism are expected to dominate discussions throughout the forum.

Sessions will explore how news organisations can respond to AI-generated misinformation, strengthen fact-checking, develop ethical frameworks for social media platforms and rebuild public trust in an increasingly complex digital information environment.

Building on discussions from previous editions, participants will also examine media literacy, transparency and international cooperation as key tools for countering disinformation and safeguarding credible journalism in the age of AI.

As the global information landscape continues to evolve, the forum aims to identify practical approaches to restoring trust, promoting responsible journalism and strengthening international cooperation in the digital era.

Read more:

• Global media leaders to gather in Shusha for 4th Media Forum

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News Politics Shusha Azerbaijan Shusha Global Media Forum Media Artificial Intelligence