Azerbaijan’s Media Development Agency (MEDIA) has issued a public warning over the circulation of deepfake videos falsely attributed to senior government officials, calling them a dangerous example of digital disinformation.
According to the agency, several social media accounts have shared manipulated video content purporting to show statements from the Azerbaijani Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs regarding the alleged downing of a Belarusian aircraft in Russian airspace. The videos, produced using deepfake and AI technologies, were declared completely fabricated and misleading.
“These fake materials are blatant attempts at information manipulation designed to mislead the public,” MEDIA stated. “We urge citizens to rely solely on official sources for accurate and verified information reflecting the government’s position — namely, through national news agencies and professional media outlets.”
The agency also called on journalists, civil society representatives, and the general public to remain vigilant amid the increasing spread of AI-generated fake content and organized disinformation campaigns.
The statement underscores growing global concerns over deepfake technology and its potential to undermine trust in public institutions, manipulate political discourse, and stoke tensions through fabricated narratives. Azerbaijan’s warning adds to the mounting pressure on governments, tech companies, and media organizations to develop faster responses and safeguards in the face of rapidly evolving digital threats.
