From Memes to Misinformation
Investigating Russian Influence in Azerbaijan
This is a draft version of the report for open for public commentary. References should not be made this its current version.
Introduction
In an interconnected world where information travels at the speed of a click, the phenomenon of disinformation has become a potent tool in the hands of state and non-state actors seeking to shape narratives and influence public opinion. As the South Caucasus region grapples with geopolitical complexities, Azerbaijan finds itself amidst a new and insidious form of interference. This report delves into Russian influence in Azerbaijan, unmasking the intricate web of disinformation campaigns that stretch from cleverly crafted memes to carefully orchestrated misinformation. By examining the manipulation of meme pages, the role of Russian-funded news outlets, and the infiltration of academia, this investigation uncovers the tactics employed by Moscow to sway perceptions, sow discord, and promote its agenda in the heart of the South Caucasus. As the consequences of disinformation ripple across societies and threaten national sovereignty, understanding and countering this phenomenon have never been more critical. This report serves as a clarion call for vigilance, transparency, and collaboration in an evolving information warfare landscape.
A similar report was published by the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy in January 2023. This report adds to the findings of ISFED’s investigation while updating Azerbaijan-specific information concerning the report, some of which have been outdated since.
The similar nature of both reports is coincidental.
Media Law in Azerbaijan
The Dire State of Press Freedom in Azerbaijan: Urgent Action Needed
In the wake of Azerbaijan's adoption of the oppressive "Law on Media" in 2022, independent newsrooms are grappling with existential threats that jeopardize their sustainability and journalistic independence. Despite valiant efforts by local civic groups, independent journalists, and news outlets to resist the draconian legislation, their attempts have proven futile. It is now imperative for European stakeholders to step up their pressure on the Azerbaijani government, demanding the abandonment of the law or its amendment in line with local groups' demands and recommendations. Failure to act swiftly will extinguish freedom of expression and suffocate the civic space in our country.
Time is running out for the few remaining independent voices in Azerbaijan.
The Law on Media, signed by President Aliyev in February 2022, serves as a kill switch, effectively targeting the dwindling number of independent media outlets, aiming to eradicate freedom of expression once and for all.
The Venice Commission, in a published opinion, highlighted that "the Law attempts to regulate almost everything related to the media sector in Azerbaijan, including online media," and regrettably, it focuses more on restricting media activities rather than creating an environment conducive to the media's crucial role as a public watchdog. The Commission further stated that "many of its provisions are not in line with European standards on freedom of expression and media freedom," making it clear that the Law should not be implemented in its current form.
The Law's list of requirements for media practitioners is nothing short of outlandish. Among them is the contentious "Media Registry," which includes eligibility criteria such as a minimum of 3 years of professional journalism experience, an undergraduate university degree, no criminal record, Azerbaijani citizenship for media platform founders residing in Azerbaijan, and a daily publication quota of at least 20 original news articles.
A coalition of independent journalists in Azerbaijan perceives these provisions as a gross violation of the fundamental human rights of Azerbaijani citizens. Consequently, they are challenging the Media Development Agency (MDA), the regulatory body entrusted with enforcing the Law, in the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan.
Numerous independent media practitioners now face bans that impede their reporting.
(Reuters/Aziz Karimov)
Ahmad Ismayilov, the executive director of the MDA, has issued a stern warning that legal action will be taken against any news outlet operating in Azerbaijan without proper registration, effectively imposing a ban on their activities.
Past experiences with domestic courts in cases involving civic groups and individuals have shown a clear bias against targeted platforms and journalists. In cases where defendants refuse to comply with court rulings, hefty fines or 30-day administrative detention await them. Continued non-compliance may even result in journalists, editors, and other newsroom members being incarcerated for up to five years.
The situation in Azerbaijan demands urgent attention and action from the international community, as the survival of independent media and the preservation of freedom of expression hangs in the balance. The time for complacency has passed; resolute steps must be taken to safeguard the voice of truth and protect the rights of Azerbaijani journalists and citizens.
The situation in Azerbaijan demands urgent attention and action from the international community, as the survival of independent media and the preservation of freedom of expression hangs in the balance. The time for complacency has passed; resolute steps must be taken to safeguard the voice of truth and protect the rights of Azerbaijani journalists and citizens.
(Meydan TV /Aziz Karimov)
Russian Disinformation Tools in Azerbaijan
Meme Pages
In the era of social media, disinformation has emerged as a powerful tool to manipulate public opinion and sow discord. Azerbaijan is no exception to this trend, as meme pages on platforms like Facebook and Instagram have become unsuspecting vehicles for the dissemination of Russian disinformation. This part of the report aims to explore the mechanisms through which such disinformation spreads within the meme culture of Azerbaijan, shedding light on the potential impact and challenges it poses.
The Rise of Meme Pages
Meme pages have gained immense popularity in Azerbaijan, attracting large followings and fostering communities based on shared humor and cultural references. They have become influential platforms for social and political commentary, often blurring the lines between entertainment and information. However, these meme pages have also become breeding grounds for the spread of disinformation, including Russian propaganda.
Targeting Vulnerabilities
Russian disinformation campaigns exploit pre-existing fault lines and vulnerabilities in Azerbaijan's society. Meme pages provide a perfect avenue for amplifying divisive narratives, such as ethnonationalism, anti-Western sentiments, or anti-democratic ideologies. By presenting such content in a humorous and relatable format, disinformation subtly seeps into the collective consciousness, making it harder to identify and debunk.
Covert Channels of Influence
Russian disinformation agents often use covert channels. They spread these memes using pages with no active history or “legacy”, and do not post the content directly on the pages, but use them only in paid social media ads. These memes offen appear following political events or developments, such as the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, a Russian delegation of any kind (musicians, filmmakers, or politicians) visiting Azerbaijan, or in the aftermath of Armenia- Azerbaijan dialogues facilitated by EU politicians. The memes often make fun of the European involvement in the Caucasus region, namely the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, target the idea of EU peacekeepers in the region and present Russia as the only unbiased source of balance in the South Caucasus.
Cross-platform Amplification
Once disinformation takes root within meme pages, it can rapidly spread across different social media platforms. The inherently shareable nature of memes makes them ideal vessels for disinformation, as users unwittingly become conduits for its propagation. Russian disinformation campaigns leverage this network effect, ensuring that their messages reach a wider audience beyond the meme pages themselves.
Content Adaptation and Localization
To maximize their impact, Russian disinformation agents adapt their content to suit the cultural and linguistic nuances of the Azerbaijani context. They create memes that align with local humor, reference historical events, or capitalize on regional grievances. This localization strategy allows disinformation to resonate more deeply with the Azerbaijani audience, making it even more challenging to discern fact from fiction.
Addressing the Challenge
Combating the spread of Russian disinformation through meme pages requires a multi-pronged approach. It involves raising public awareness about the tactics employed by disinformation agents, fostering media literacy, and promoting critical thinking skills among meme page followers. Collaboration between social media platforms, fact-checking organizations, and law enforcement agencies is also crucial to identify and counter disinformation campaigns effectively.
The memes posted on covert social media accounts cover the following topics:
The Invasion of Ukraine
The main messages conveyed on Ukraine are:
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Ukraine is losing the war against Russia - Russia is winning.
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Ukraine is taking advantage of the military aid they’re receiving from the West.
The first image posted went viral on social media and has been proven by independent fact-checkers to be manipulated. It shows U.S. President Joe Biden grasping Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s butt during the latter’s December 21, 2022 visit to the United States, the first after the invasion of Ukraine was launched.
Translation:
One must pay for "friendship" with the West
What really happened
How Russian media reports on the relationship of two Presidents
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Background: CSPAN - President Biden and first lady Jill Biden welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House on his first foreign trip since the Russian invasion.
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MOSCOW, January 4 - RIA Novosti. Maxim Minin, deputy editor-in-chief of Strana.ua, expressed the opinion that US President Joe Biden showed a negative attitude towards his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, choosing an inconvenient conversation time for the last time.
Another claim on Zelensky by these pages is that he’s losing the war in Ukraine, as seen in the image below.
Zelensky
The counter offensive is going on, and there will be suuccess, but later
Background: The U.S. Department of State - Since January 2021, the United States has invested more than $44 billion in security assistance to demonstrate our enduring and steadfast commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This includes more than $43 billion since Russia’s launched its premeditated, unprovoked, and brutal war against Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Since 2014, the United States has provided more than $45.4 billion in security assistance for training and equipment to help Ukraine preserve its territorial integrity, secure its borders, and improve interoperability with NATO.
The template is a popular meme format used to describe one’s indifference or refusal to accepting to be in a difficult situation. It suggests that Russia is winning the war in Ukraine, and Zelensky is only pretending to make military progress.
One more image to reinstate the claim that Ukraine’s counter offensive efforts are unsuccessful is shown below.
The U.S. with a new aid package:
Results of Ukraine's counter-offensive
The image also brings up the US military aid to Ukraine and claims that the aid is not being efficiently managed, using a popular meme template from American sitcom “Community”.
NEW YORK, December 17 - RIA Novosti. Ukraine lost in the conflict with Russia, Kyiv has nothing to compensate for the losses in the armed forces, said retired US colonel, ex-Senator of the US state of Virginia Richard Black during a video conference organized by the Schiller Institute.
MOSCOW, February 7 - RIA Novosti. By supplying weapons to Ukraine, the United States is aggravating the situation around the country, drawing Washington into the conflict, and also hindering negotiations between Moscow and Kiev, which is losing the conflict, writes New York Times columnist Christopher Caldwell.
The final exhibit of this subtopic claims that Ukraine is taking advantage of the miliatry and humanitarian aid they’re receiving form the West.
The final exhibit of this subtopic claims that Ukraine is taking advantage of the military and humanitarian aid they’re receiving form the West.
Western technology has been destroyed during a counter-offensive
Zelensky with a reason to ask for more money
In this popular meme template, two ideas are being reinforced: (1) the Ukraine counter-offensives are unsuccessful and that Russia destroys their military technology, and (2) Zelensky is shown to be happy to have the opportunity to ask for more aid.
Narogno-Karabakh Conflict & the West
The main messages conveyed are:
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The European Union and the United States seeks to damage the Armenia - Azerbaijan peace process.
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The West does not respect Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and hold double-standards.
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The EU observering mission in Armenia goes agaisnt Azerbaijan’s interests.
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The EU takes advantage of Azerbaijan’s oil and gas supplies while siding with Armenia in the conflict.
A large body of material posted online circles around the involvement of the West in facilitating Azerbaijan - Armenia dialogues. These memes try to discredit the US and the EU, accusing them of anti-Azerbaijan sentiments, a lack of respect toward Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, and harmful influence on the peacemaking process.
For instance, this meme paints the EU’s observing mission in Armenia as futile and hopeless by using a globally-recognized meme format.
Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict
The EU Observation Mission
Background: Council of the EU - EU civilian mission in Armenia (EU Mission in Armenia/EUMA) under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) was formally established by a Council Decision on 23 January 2023. Through its deployment on the Armenian side of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, it aims to contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia, build confidence and human security in conflict affected areas, and ensure an environment conducive to the normalisation efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan supported by the EU.
Popular usage for this particular template is to show efforts of little to no value to solve a complex issue. It’s widely used in a cynical way to make fun of ineffective or unavailing actions, therefor the message it reinforces remains the same for the EU’s monitoring mission.
Russian Foreign Ministry: The appearance of EU representatives in the border regions of Armenia will only aggravate the situation
Another meme below targeting the EU’s involvement in the Nagorno Karabakh peace process suggests that the goal of EUMA goes against Azerbaijan’s interests in the conflict, and that the EU is supporting Armenia against Azerbaijan by sending an observation mission to their territories.
Azerbaijan isdefending its own interests
The EU with one more fact-finding mission
This meme format is a screenshot from an episode of iCarly, an American sitcom. The template is generally used to show intent to harm especially if a certain activity goes against your plans, goals or wishes, reinstating the belief that the European Union plans to damage Azerbaijan’s interests in Nagorno-Karabakh peace process.
Moscow believes that Brussels pursues other goals in its mission on the territory of Armenia than the normalization of Armenian-Azerbaijani relations.
The below picture claims that the Europan Union holds double standards in relation to Azerbaijan, and while they’re interested in buying Azerbaijan’s gas supplies, they’re aggressively against the Azerbaijani position and interests in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict.
Europe when talking about Karabakh
Europe when in need of Azerbaijan's oil
Background: Euronews on 19 July 2022 - The European Commission signed a deal with Azerbaijan on Monday to double imports of natural gas by 2027. The deal will double Baku's gas supply to the EU by 2027, helping the bloc reduce its reliance on Russian energy.
This meme format is used to show double standards towards two different groups or on two different issues that are similar in nature, therefore it claims that the EU is not sincere in their Azerbaijan relations and double standards in its Azerbaijan policy.
VEDMOSTI.RU - "European countries as a whole do not intend to invest, but only to receive energy resources, notes Stanislav Pritchin, researcher at the Center for the Study of the Post-Soviet Space at the IMEMO RAS. The SGC was built without the participation of Europeans, with the exception of political assistance, the expert recalls. Baku is trying to find investors, which are not enough, despite the high interest in Azerbaijani gas. There are no significant investments from European companies, with the exception of the British BP, Pritchin believes."
Another meme also accuses the EU of double standards and a two-sided approach when it comes to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan’s oil and gas partnership with the EU.
West's claims to Azerbaijan when buying oil
when it comes to Armenia - Azerbaijan conflict
This particular exhibit targets the U.S. - Azerbaijan partnership and the general Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks amid tri-lateral dialogues in Washington DC. It suggests that the U.S. is involved to damage the peace talks and linger in the process.
When Azerbaijan strives for peace in South Caucasus
USA
Background: Open Democracy - The year-long negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan on a peace agreement have reached a critical moment. Since May 2023, leaders and their representatives have regularly convened in various capitals worldwide. And on June 27, delegates began several days of talks in Washington DC.
Lavrov: The West has no sincere desire to help the peace process between Baku and Yerevan
Another meme below claims that the EU turns a blind eye to Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity issues and disregards them, hinting at the above argument that the West is pro-Armenian in their Azerbaijan policy and relationships.
The West when talking about the recognition of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan
The meme template is a screenshot from the popular American animated sitcom “The Simpsons” and is widely used to imply how one tries to avoid a situation after understanding that what they’re doing is wrong, which implies that the EU leadership despite being aware of injustice to Azerbaijan, chooses to avoid the responsibility.
Another accusation of double standards for Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity is targeting the United States.
USA on the terriotrial integrity of Ukraine
USA on the terriotrial integrity of Azerbaijan
The meme template is from the American comedy show “SpongeBob SquarePants” and is widely used to display attention and indifference in different contexts, thus implying that even though the U.S. is keen to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity, they fail to show the same enthusiasm for Azerbaijan.
The final exhibit on this subtopic is the meme below, which claims that Azerbaijan is being intimidated by the U.S. to take certain actions, which have not been made clear in the visual.
-Let me in!
-Why?!
-To save you.
-From what?
-From what I'm about to do if you don't let me in.
This meme is a direct manipulation of a popular template featuring Jesus Christ and an invisible person behind the door. The original template also serves the same lines to indicate a sense of upcoming violence as a consequence of non-compliance with a higher authority. In this meme, Jesus Christ who is depicted as violent is replaced with an image of the 46th President of the United States Joe Biden whereas on the other side of the door, the so-called “victim” is shown as Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev.
Domestic Politics of Azerbaijan
Another line of Russian propaganda in Azerbaijan targets the Azerbaijani government and blames the Azerbaijani authorities of mismanagement and scapegoating Russia (and Iran) for their own faults.
In one particular example, the meme claims that Azerbaijani government tries to silence dissent and authentic protests coming within the society through painting the events as “Russian-fabricated”.
Azerbaijanis that protest
"the government is guilty for the problems of the country"
the government of Azerbaijan
"Russia is guilty for the problems of the country"
In the below meme, local protests on water shortages are being targeted. The image claims that Azerbaijani government tries to put the blame on malign foreign influence when it comes to domestic dissent.
When your citizens are unhappy with water shortages, you are looking for the signs of Iran, Russia and aliens in it
the government of Azerbaijan
Background: Eurasianet - Soyudlu entered the national spotlight with a protest against the planned construction of a second pond to house waste from the nearby Gadabay (Gadabek) gold mine. Villagers say an existing pond already releases cyanide and other toxic chemicals into the ground, causing health problems, including cancer, and damaging crops. After several days of protest, the demonstrators were dispersed violently by police and the village has been under tight police control ever since.
At least 2 people arrested are claimed to be Russian citizens to have visited Azerbaijan to organize the protests and spark dissent.
Azerbaijani government is again being brought to spotlight with the final exhibit of this subtopic, again on water shortages in the country.
Azerbaijani government
Unreasonable water shortages
Russia is guilty.
Background: Global Voices - Since March 13, residents of at least three villages in Saatli have taken their demands for stable water access onto the streets. They were left with no choice after numerous attempts to reach officials and relevant state institutions. After residents blocked the streets, police used force and violence to disperse the crowd. Local media reported injuries as a result of police brute intervention, including of a 15-year-old boy who was shot with a rubber bullet.
Islamaphobia in the West
Another line of memes distributed on social media is targeting allegations of Islamaphobia in the West.
This particular example claims that respect for Muslim rights in Europe does not exist.
There are 3 rules:
-can't wish for death,
-can't fall in love,
-can't revive the dead
I want there to be respect for Muslim rights in Europe
There are 4 rules.
Another exhibit targets the recent case of Kuran borning in Sweden, and the response from NATO’s secretary general.
When Europeans allow the burning of Kor'an
The third exhibit from this subtopic claims that while Sweden allows freedoms of LGBT populations, they have limited freedoms for Muslims in Sweden, another reference to the Kuran-burning incident in Sweden.
To be LGBT in Sweden
To be Muslim in Sweden
More information on the case of why the burning of Kuran is being promoted at this scale is detailed below in the analysis of a brief op-ed published by a pro-Russian news website.
The Impact of Memes on Public Opinion and Discourse
Memes shape public opinion and discourse, transcending barriers and reaching diverse audiences through their viral nature. They evoke emotions and convey ideas concisely, fostering community and influencing collective attitudes.
1. Accessibility and Virality:
Memes transcend language and cultural barriers, swiftly capturing attention and spreading rapidly across social media platforms.
2. Emotional Appeal and Engagement:
Memes evoke emotions, conveying complex ideas in relatable ways, fostering connections among individuals who share similar sentiments.
3. Simplification and Oversimplification:
Memes simplify issues but risk losing nuance, hindering substantive discussions and leading to shallow or polarized opinions.
4. Influence on Agenda Setting:
Memes shape agendas, generating public interest and directing attention to specific topics, potentially influencing media outlets, policymakers, and the public.
5. Satire, Parody, and Critique:
Memes provide platforms for satire, parody, and dissent, allowing individuals to challenge authority and question prevailing narratives.
6. Polarization and Disinformation:
Memes are vulnerable to manipulation and the spread of disinformation, making fact-checking and countering false narratives challenging.
Russian Disinformation Tools in Azerbaijan
News Outlets
Pro-Russian news outlets operating in Azerbaijan have a notable presence in the country's media landscape. These outlets often promote narratives and perspectives aligned with the Russian government's interests.
The below content is not interpreted by the report author. The visuals and the content are intended only as exhibits.
Yerli Media:
Yerli Media (“Local Media” in Azerbaijani) is a relatively new news website with a strong pro-Russian editorial policy. The news outlet has a Facebook and Instagram page as well as a website where they disseminate their reporting which often includes the same pro-Russian narratives pushed forward by the meme pages we discussed above, among daily news from Azerbaijan.
Their main reporting includes the following messages:
Peace talks facilitated by the West are not effective.
The next meeting of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan was held in Brussels. But as always, no real steps were taken to bring peace to this platform.
All negotiations in Europe and the USA have ended in vain. Despite the West's declarations that the meetings in Arlington and Brussels were productive, they did not lead to real progress.
The west is on Armenia’s side.
In the conflict in the South Caucasus, the Europeans are playing on the side of the Armenians. Any impartiality on their part is just hypocrisy.
The European parliamentarians reaffirmed their anti-Azerbaijani position - the resolution adopted by PACE on blocking the Lachin corridor cannot be interpreted in any other way.
Russia is a reliable mediation partner
That is why Russia, the main mediator in the negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, helps to find a point of contact, to choose the right expression, but nothing more. Baku and Yerevan decide for themselves what is in their interests and how to ensure reliable peace in the South Caucasus.
Azerbaijani experts highly appreciate the mediating role of the Russian Federation. For example, according to political scientist Kamran Hasanov, the Russian Federation can make a decisive contribution to achieving lasting peace. It has enough tools for this, and the degree of trust in Moscow on both sides of the conflict is higher than that of the western players. The parties have already met several times in the territory of Europe and the States, but these negotiations did not lead to concrete results.
Attacks on Western funding and foundations
Representations of foundations, human rights and other non-commercial organizations in the USA and Europe have been operating in Azerbaijan for more than ten years. They formed a real network in the country that is practically not under the control of the state and defends the interests of the West.
Despite the fact that George Soros' structures did not give up their attempt to organize a "colorful revolution" in Azerbaijan and, above all, rely on people who do not understand politics, Western NGOs in the republic are no longer popular among the population. If 10-15 years ago it was possible to attract the masses with buns in the form of study abroad or unusual courses, now it is very difficult to do it.
Promotion of the Eurasian Economic Union
The cooperation of the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union is increasing. In 2022, their mutual trade share will increase to 14% and reach $1 trillion … It was also possible to achieve success in industrial cooperation and scientific-technical cooperation. These successes are visible from Azerbaijan. And it is not surprising that Baku thinks more often about the possibility of joining the Union.
Azerbaijan closely interacts with all EEU countries in a number of directions. These are international transport projects, trade development, mutual investments.
Therefore, further rapprochement with the organization is being discussed in our country. Azerbaijan already actively cooperates with EEU countries. For example, let's take grain imports: in the first quarter of this year, our country tripled its wheat purchases from the Russian Federation - their volume exceeded 230,000 tons, and supplies from Kazakhstan increased 1.7 times.
Attacks on Ukraine
Then the question arises: Why did the media resources that shouted about the violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine, not listen when the United States violated the territorial integrity of Iraq, Serbia? When a no-fly zone was imposed over Libyan territory, which led to a military coup and national tragedy? Or when the Azerbaijani lands were under Armenian occupation for nearly 30 years?
The tradition of holding annual summits of the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) has emerged relatively recently. Many experts believe that this format has already shown its ineffectiveness. This is primarily due to the fact that the high effect of such summits actually turned into a fragmentary informational impact on public opinion without a significant practical component. Yes, and in terms of information, it is difficult to call it effective, because the West applies its propaganda to the institutions under its control even without summits. On the other hand, these meetings of NATO for the alliance itself is that the conclusions of the meetings reveal the complete inconsistency of the inflated expectations of the adepts of western ultra-liberal values.
Demotiya.com
Demotiya.com is slightly older than the above news outlet and has been operating since 2021. Unlike Yerli Media, Demotiya.com is not regularly updated and publishes only a few news entries or short op-eds each month. These are either responses to certain allegations, reactions to different political developments, or commentary on Russian policy and its perceptions.
LIVE VIEW
One of the recent publications on the website is the exact translation of the above publication on Yerli Media.
The tradition of holding annual summits of the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO) appeared relatively recently. Many experts believe that this format has already shown its inefficiency. This is primarily due to the fact that the high-profile effect of such summits has essentially turned into a fragmented information impact on public opinion without a significant practical component.
Demotiya.com lists Elshad Mamedov, a professor at the University of Economics of Azerbaijan as the author for this article, while Yerli Media published the article without any reference to its author. Both articles were published within one day of each other (15 and 16 july 2023).
Demotiya.com features another short piece by Elshad Mamedov called “Degradation of the sense of justice - Response to Stoltenberg” who reacted to the burning of the Koran in Sweden as ”offensive but not illegal”.
Background: NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg spoke out on the burning of the Quran in Sweden, saying that the burning of the Quran was offensive and objectionable, but not illegal. However, the NATO Chief urged for a compromise over Sweden’s accession to NATO.
Mamedov, a Russia-educated Azerbaijani, defends Russian culture and values in his response:
So why, Mr. Stoltenberg, does your "democratic West" try to abolish Russian sports, Russian culture, Russian science, and the Russian language because the Russian people do not accept the "values" imposed on humanity by the West by expressing their opinions freely?
Almost all of the news entries on Demotiya.com is the promotion of Russia, its economy, politics, and power.
Jamil Shirvanov, a political scientist and a lawyer, is listed as the main contact person on the website. His email address and phone number are publicly available.
Elshad Mammadov himself has a separate Facebook page with only 75 followers that he regularly updates. He talks about Islamaphobia, posts links to his publications on Demotiya.com, and shares his observations from social media.
Mammadov was very swift to react to a social media campaign titled “Azerbaijani Expats” on his Facebook account.
Apparently, a group of Azerbaijani women living across Europe decided to take their frustrations public about how hard and disappointing life has been in the West. One of the Facebook users writes:
“What worries me the most are the people who live here. In Canada, they give asylum to everyone in a row, and often these are just marginal people who live on benefits and do not behave very adequately. And the tolerance prevailing in the country allows them to behave very unruly and sometimes dangerous for others. For example, they jump on you on the street for no reason, they shout, they see their needs on the street. Once, in the middle of the night, some people aggressively broke our door with the neighbor's door and started entering. And the homeless are the main scourge of big cities, they always don't give up on me at parking lots and only say obscene words. The police does not respond to such cases.”
These Facebook profiles all look recently created without any past posting history, friends, or human interactions on their Facebook walls. Notice the dates when these users the Facebook groups and post their content. All of them are new users to these groups.
Some users have posted their frustrations over life in the West in Russian and Azerbaijani, as a result of what looks like poorly edited Google translations.
It's important to note that the presence of Russian-funded news outlets in Azerbaijan does not necessarily imply direct control or manipulation of local media. However, these outlets can contribute to shaping public opinion by presenting news and perspectives that align with Russian interests. Understanding the funding sources and potential biases of news outlets is crucial for media consumers to evaluate information critically and seek diverse perspectives.
Where’s everything taking place?
All of these pages are connected to each other.
The memes are published on this Facebook account:
Yerli Media is active on this Facebook account.
And Elshad Mammadov is using this page:
Their page histories all share a similar nature.
Elshad Mammadov’s page was created on March 11, 2023, under the name “Digital Fusion”, but only was renamed to Elşad Məmmədov on May 18, 2023. 4 admins of the page are located in Ukraine (2 admins), the United States, and Azerbaijan).
Hot Day, despite being a devout meme page, does not have any memes posted directly on their Facebook wall. This is an intended action to hide their posting history and lose their footprints. The page was created on April 23, 2023.
Elshad Mammadov and Hot Day posted on the same issue - the hardships of life in the West on the same day.
Yerli Media’s Facebook account was created on February 11, 2023 under the name “Design Hippo”. It was changed to “Yerli.media” on April 20, 2023, only 5 days after the domain “yerlimedia.org” was registered online. The page is managed by two admins from Ukraine and one from the United States.
Yerli Media is hosted on the same cloud with 3 other news outlets: Demotiya.com, Lurer Media, an Armenian news outlet, an Sakartvelo Today News, a Georgian equivalent.
Lurer Media’s and Sakartvelo Today News’ pages on Facebook were also created on the same day with Yerli Media’s and were called “Design Film” and “Marketing Hawk” respectively. They were renamed to their current names on April 20 and 21, this being another resemblance with Yerli Media.
Examination of the strategies employed by these outlets to disseminate disinformation
The strategies employed by Russian-funded news outlets to disseminate disinformation can vary but often involve several key tactics. These tactics are not exclusive to Russian-funded outlets and can be observed in disinformation campaigns more broadly.
1. Propagation of Biased or False Narratives:
Russian-funded news outlets may present biased or false narratives that align with the Russian government's interests. They selectively highlight certain facts or events while omitting or downplaying others to shape public opinion. By presenting a skewed version of reality, these outlets can influence how audiences perceive and interpret news and events.
2. Amplification of Controversial Voices:
These outlets often amplify controversial or fringe voices that support the Russian government's agenda. By providing a platform for these voices, they give them credibility and visibility. This tactic aims to create the illusion of broad support for certain narratives or to sow division and confusion within society.
3. Exploitation of Emotional Triggers:
Russian-funded news outlets may use emotionally charged language, imagery, or stories to provoke strong emotional responses from the audience. By appealing to fear, anger, or patriotism, they can manipulate public sentiment and reinforce preconceived beliefs or biases.
4. Manipulation of Information Sources:
These outlets may rely on selective sourcing or unreliable sources to present a distorted view of events. They may use anonymous or unverified sources, conspiracy theories, or misinformation from social media to support their narratives. By blurring the lines between fact and fiction, they undermine trust in reputable sources of information.
6. Leveraging Social Media and Online Platforms:
Russian-funded news outlets heavily rely on social media platforms and online channels to disseminate their content. They leverage algorithms, targeted advertising, and coordinated social media campaigns to maximize the reach and impact of their disinformation efforts.
Conclusion
In an era of interconnectedness and information warfare, Russian influence in Azerbaijan extends across various domains, including media, meme culture, and academia. The oppressive Law on Media poses a grave threat to press freedom in Azerbaijan, with independent newsrooms facing existential challenges. The infiltration of Russian-funded news outlets disseminates biased narratives and amplifies controversial voices. Moreover, the manipulation of meme pages enables the spread of disinformation, exploiting vulnerabilities and perpetuating divisive narratives. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding Russian influence in Azerbaijani academic institutions, from cultural and curricular influence to research funding and ideological impact.
To counter these challenges, vigilance, transparency, and collaboration are crucial. Safeguarding press freedom and promoting critical media literacy are paramount in combating Russian-backed disinformation campaigns. Strengthening partnerships between fact-checking organizations, social media platforms, and law enforcement agencies can help identify and counteract the spread of disinformation. It is essential to uphold academic integrity, intellectual independence, and diverse perspectives within Azerbaijani academic institutions to prevent undue influence and ensure the pursuit of knowledge free from external biases.
As Azerbaijan navigates the complex landscape of Russian influence, continued efforts to enhance media literacy, foster critical thinking, and promote transparency will be crucial in preserving national sovereignty and cultivating an informed and resilient society.
To counter Russian influence and safeguard against disinformation campaigns, the following recommendations can be considered:
1. Enhance Media Literacy and Critical Thinking:
Promote media literacy programs that educate the public about recognizing and evaluating disinformation. Encourage critical thinking skills to help individuals critically analyze news sources, identify misinformation, and verify information before sharing.
2. Support Independent Journalism:
Provide support and resources to independent media outlets, journalists, and fact-checking organizations. Strengthening their capacity to investigate and report accurately will help counter disinformation and promote objective reporting.
3. Encourage Fact-Checking Initiatives:
Support and promote fact-checking organizations that can quickly debunk false information and provide accurate, evidence-based reporting. Collaborate with these organizations to increase their visibility and reach.
Implementing these recommendations requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving governments, civil society, media organizations, technology companies, and individuals. By taking collective action, countries can effectively counter Russian influence and safeguard their societies against disinformation campaigns, ensuring the preservation of truth, democratic values, and informed decision-making.