NO-ID Journalism: A New Initiative Against the Silencing of Journalism

Abid Gafarov – Founder of Caspian Watch

To be a journalist in Azerbaijan today is no longer merely a professional choice. It is a risky public stance — a responsibility that may come at the cost of freedom, safety, and the possibility of an ordinary life.

Journalism has not yet been officially declared a crime in the country. But in reality, independent media has been pushed into such a state that the mere fact of 26 journalists being behind bars is enough to draw that conclusion. This number is not just a statistic. Behind every name stands an unfinished investigation, a silenced newsroom, a broken family, and a society deprived of its right to truth. And I have not even mentioned the children left with tears in their eyes…

The danger does not end inside the country. Journalists, political activists, and public figures continue to face pressure, surveillance, legal persecution, pressure on family members, and the risk of physical attacks even abroad. The Azerbaijan Popular Parliament’s report on transnational repression shows that these pressures are not isolated or accidental incidents, but part of a systematic and multilayered mechanism of repression. The report presents concrete examples of killings and attacks against journalists.

As part of the Caspian Watch project, several journalists responded positively to our call for support. Yet most of them — whether living inside the country or in exile — asked for their identities to remain confidential.

This is understandable.

But at the same time, it reveals a very painful truth: when a journalist is forced to hide their own signature, the issue is no longer only about media freedom. It becomes a question of security, law, and the future of society itself.

Religious texts speak of the angel who will blow the trumpet before the Hour of Judgment. Today, the desire of journalists to work in secrecy is such an alarm signal for us. We cannot afford not to hear it. Because this is no longer merely a choice between speaking and remaining silent. It is a matter of responsibility before our imprisoned colleagues, before the truth, and before future generations.

For this reason, we are launching an initiative called “NO-ID Journalism” to draw attention to the problems in the media sphere before both domestic and international audiences.

This initiative is not about bringing anyone’s name to the forefront. It is for journalists whose names we cannot mention, but who carry the weight of the word. It is for our colleagues in prison. It is for newsrooms working under threat. It is for everyone who is trying to protect their voice, yet refuses to remain silent.

I believe that our valued colleagues will understand the essence of this idea correctly. The scale and possible directions of this process have already been discussed with several colleagues. There is work ahead — perhaps work we cannot fully define today, but which tomorrow may emerge as a serious necessity for the media environment.

The door is open to every colleague who wishes to join this initiative. With an open name, with a hidden name, with an idea, with advice, with experience, with contacts — in whatever way possible.

Believe in the young. Trust your colleagues. Do not forget the imprisoned journalists.

Because when journalism falls silent, society loses its ability to defend itself.

NO-ID Journalism — the name may remain hidden, but the truth must not.

P.S. Journalists whose identities will remain confidential will write under pseudonyms. On the “About Us” section of the Caspian Watch website, they will be presented under those pseudonyms, and instead of an avatar photo, they will choose and use the photo of any currently imprisoned journalist. In doing so, a message will be sent to our society and to the dictator: “My colleague’s work lives on!”

Hal min nasirin yansurni?
Is there anyone to help me?

Abid Gafarov https://www.facebook.com/share/1d92isdQXi/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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