Today marks the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the national press, which was established by our great intellectual, Hasan bey Zardabi, with the publication of the “Akinchi” newspaper on July 22, 1875.

Although “Akinchi” only published 56 issues between July 22, 1875, and September 1877, its role in the formation and development of Azerbaijan’s national press is invaluable. Primarily undertaking an educational mission, “Akinchi” quickly became very popular both among the intellectual class and ordinary people. However, its lifespan was short. The Tsarist government, wary of the newspaper’s influence on people’s enlightenment and its role in making them more aware of socio-political processes, eventually halted its publication. Despite this, the prominent intellectuals of that era used the pages of “Akinchi” to promote their educational and democratic ideas, making a significant impact on the development of social, political, and literary thought.

Since then, Azerbaijan’s press, undergoing periods of decline and revival, has continually played a role as a mirror reflecting society’s views on various processes.

Dear media representatives, we congratulate you on July 22 – National Press Day, as well as the 150th anniversary of Azerbaijan’s press, and wish each of you objectivity and high professionalism in your difficult and responsible work.