National Press Day or Media Day in Azerbaijan

For a long period Tbilisi was the administrative and cultural center of the South Caucasus and it affected the media and literature as well. Economic and social development of Azerbaijan in the II half of the XIX century made the formation of national media very necessary. Hasan bekh Zerdabi, the outstanding educationist, who perceived this necessity, applied to the government and though with great difficulties, managed to get permission for the publication of a newspaper. For the publication he had to brought new arabian printing fonts from Turkey and after great difficulties, managed to publish the first issue of the newspaper in the Baku governor publishing house on June 22, 1875. The publication of “Ekinchi” newspaper laid the foundation of Azerbaijan media. The “Ekinchi” newspaper, which was published till July 22, 1877, published 56 issues in total. The newspaper was published twice in a month with 300-400 copies.

The publication day of the first national press agency “Ekinchi” newspaper- 22nd June is celebrated as the “Day of Media” in the Republic.