A statement issued by the Committee to Protect Journalists said that the Azerbaijani government should repeal the newly adopted media law, which strengthens state control over the press.

"Azerbaijan's new media law is full of uncertainties and heavy demands, and it seems that it is deliberately aimed at targeting the last remaining pillars of free media covering the country. President Ilham Aliyev should never have approved this law. Now the government must abolish it and try never to use it against the media,” said Gulnoza Said, Europe and Central Asia coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists stated.

The organisation notes that the suspension and closure of print media, news agencies, and news sites will be decided by Azerbaijani courts, and a new seven-member Audiovisual Council appointed by the president will oversee the online broadcasting of "audio visual material."

On December 30, 2021, President Aliyev signed the Law on Media. The decree on the application of the law were published in the official press on February 8.

Based on the presidential decree, the Cabinet of Ministers will prepare proposals on harmonisation of normative legal acts in connection with the establishment of the Media Development Agency and the Audiovisual Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan within two months. The powers of the National Television and Radio Council will be transferred to the Audiovisual Council.

The Cabinet of Ministers will also prepare and submit to the President a draft law establishing administrative liability for violations of the Law on Media.

The Cabinet of Ministers will prepare a draft rule for maintaining the Media Register within three months. It will also approve the form of the journalist's card, the amount of payment for its issuance or replacement, and the procedure for using these funds in coordination with the Azerbaijani president.

According to the decree, accreditation of foreign journalists in Azerbaijan is carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. Foreign journalists may operate with the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On December 30, 2021, the Milli Majlis (Parliament) adopted a new law "On Media."

The law defines the organisational, legal, and economic bases of activities in the field of media, as well as the general rules for obtaining, preparing, transmitting, producing, and disseminating mass information.

The law applies to media entities established in the territory of Azerbaijan, editorial offices, their products, as well as all media entities outside the country and whose activities are aimed at the territory and population of Azerbaijan, only the part of foreign media products distributed in Azerbaijan, as well as journalists.

The document covers issues related to the activities of journalists, including the issuance of relevant licenses to journalists included in the Media Register, the definition of some privileges, the rules of accreditation of journalists in government agencies, the creation of conditions for professional activity and other issues.

In a letter to Azerbaijani President Aliyev on January 25, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic called on him to return the Law on Media adopted by the Milli Majlis for reconsideration.

In his letter, the Commissioner expressed serious concern over the adoption of the new law "On Media" without extensive and meaningful consultations.

"The new law worsens the situation of freedom of expression and media freedom in the country, giving government agencies special powers to regulate the media sector, including licensing, excessive restrictions on journalists, and some restrictions on the financial, legal and operational activities of media companies and organisations," the letter reads.