D-8 Media Forum Launches New Initiatives for Member Countries

The inaugural D-8 Media Forum concluded on March 15, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan, marking a significant step in enhancing media cooperation among Developing-8 (D-8) member countries. This event, part of the ongoing D-8 Week, gathered around 150 delegates, including 71 representatives from various member states and the D-8 Secretariat, to discuss collaborative strategies for combating disinformation and strengthening media excellence.

Azerbaijan’s full membership in the D-8, which occurred in March 2025, has prompted the country to deepen its engagement with the organization. The D-8, established nearly thirty years ago, includes Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Turkey, and now Azerbaijan. As a new member, Azerbaijan is eager to contribute to the bloc’s initiatives, including proposed projects focused on transport and climate change.

Creation of the Media Excellence Centre

The D-8 Media Forum’s key outcomes included plans for the establishment of a Media Excellence Centre aimed at fostering credible collaboration among media institutions from member countries. Speaking at the forum, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, represented by his aide Hikmat Hajiyev, emphasized the need for an impartial and responsible information space among the D-8 nations. He stated, “One of the primordial tasks of the D-8 Media Forum is to form a credible collaboration between media institutions of member countries.”

During the opening ceremony, D-8 Secretary General Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam highlighted the importance of the proposed Media Excellence Centre in amplifying the collective voice of member states within the global information landscape. He also suggested the creation of a Broadcasting Association to unify radio and television broadcasters across the D-8 nations for the exchange of programming and news content.

Addressing Media Challenges in Member Nations

The forum also addressed pressing media challenges faced by member countries, particularly the prevalence of misinformation on social media platforms. In an interview with Euronews, Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, CEO of Malaysia’s National News Agency BERNAMA, discussed Malaysia’s stringent measures to combat media-related issues such as scams and cyberbullying. She clarified that while the government is enhancing regulations, it does not intend to control media narratives.

The D-8 organisation, collectively representing over one billion people, continues to explore avenues for collaboration in various sectors. Azerbaijan’s recent accession serves as a critical milestone for the D-8, marking its first expansion in nearly three decades. The initiatives launched during the D-8 Media Forum signify a commitment to enhancing cooperation and addressing shared challenges among member countries.