Media from Azerbaijan and Georgia nominated for the international award
Two independent media projects of the South Caucasus, the Azerbaijani publication Abzas Media and the Georgian online media network Sinatle Media, have been nominated for the international "Freedom of Expression Awards" 2026.
The Azerbaijani online publication Abzas Media has been nominated among the three nominees of the international organization Index on Censorship for the "Freedom of Expression Awards" 2026 in the category of "Journalism."
Abzas Media, founded in 2016, is known for investigative journalism exposing high-level corruption. In June 2025, a court in Baku found the staff of the online publication Abzas Media guilty of economic crimes. The director of the publication, Ulvi Hasanli, editor-in-chief Sevinj Vagifgizi, investigative journalist Hafiz Babaly, economist Farid Mehralizade were sentenced to nine years in prison, Narghiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasimova to eight, and Mohammed Kekalov to seven. On April 3, the Supreme Court upheld the sentences for all convicted in the case. International journalism organizations demanded the release of those convicted in the case.
In addition to Abzas Media, the Georgian independent media network Sinatle Media and the regional Ukrainian publication Vorskla are nominated for the award in the "Journalism" category, according to a statement on the international organization's website.
Index on Censorship notes that the award in this category is given for journalistic activities that expose censorship and threats to freedom of expression, as well as highlight issues of public significance.
The organization characterizes Abzas Media as an independent media outlet engaged in investigations of corruption and abuse of power in Azerbaijan. It recalls that in November 2023, a search was conducted at the Abzas Media office, equipment was confiscated, and editorial staff were arrested.
"Six editorial staff members are currently imprisoned due to investigations related to influential business circles and authorities, while the remaining team members continue to work in exile," the organization's statement says.
The nomination presentation notes that Abzas Media published investigations into corruption and financial networks linked to high-ranking officials. The publication also covered human rights violations, political arrests, police violence, and prison conditions.
The statement emphasizes that imprisoned journalists have not ceased their activities: they continue to prepare materials about prison conditions, violence, denial of medical assistance, and the daily lives of prisoners.
Another South Caucasian nominee is the Georgian independent online media network Sinatle Media ("Light"). The association was created in response to the adoption of the law on foreign agents in Georgia and the reduction of traditional press funding. The main goal of the project is to protect journalists from political and financial pressure, as well as to preserve independent media in the regions and across the country as a whole.
The Sinatle Media network launched a solidarity and financial sustainability campaign for online publications Lights Must Stay On (“Light must not go out”) over a year ago. As part of the initiative, the first coordinated crowdfunding in Georgia was launched to raise funds from citizens for the work of independent editorial offices.
The organizers emphasize that instead of competition, publications need to pool resources and diversify income for the survival of the sector. Through public fundraising campaigns and joint projects, the network aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of free press operations.
In the statement from the Index on Censorship jury regarding the nominees, it is noted that authoritarian states are intensifying mechanisms to suppress dissent, yet journalists, artists, and activists continue to resist this pressure.
"In such conditions, it is easy to feel powerless, but this list of nominees proves otherwise. The journalists presented in it demonstrate that no system of control is all-encompassing: it cannot break the will of a person who refuses to remain silent," the jury's statement says.
The "Freedom of Expression" award is presented in three main categories: art, public activism, and journalism. The award ceremony for the 2026 laureates will take place on November 19 in London.
"Caucasian Knot" also reported that earlier Abzas Media and Meydan TV became laureates of the international award "Pioneer of Free Media-2026," awarded by the International Press Institute and the organization "International Media Support."