Azerbaijan selected singer JIVA to represent the country at Eurovision 2026 with the emotional ballad Just Go, written by Fuad Javadov. The song’s release prompted mixed reactions from fans, with praise for its vocals and tone alongside concerns about its competitiveness. The national broadcaster denied speculation about AI involvement and described a multi‑stage selection process that narrowed 100 applications to three finalists before choosing JIVA. The contest will take place in Vienna in May 2026.

Experiences of Erasmus+ participants from Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia highlight how international mobility reshapes perceptions of home, freedom, and opportunity. Alumni describe gaining a clearer awareness of political and social constraints, greater confidence in adapting to new environments, and evolving ideas of belonging that may span multiple countries. While some return with sharpened expectations or ambitions for further study abroad, attachment to home often persists, creating a dual sense of identity. Mobility ultimately alters perspectives more than destinations, expanding horizons while reframing familiar environments.

Azerbaijani youth continue to consume news despite widespread mistrust, treating media as a tool for observation and analysis rather than belief. Interviews reveal platform-specific habits: Telegram for speed, Instagram for emotional framing, YouTube for explanations, and international outlets for perceived credibility, while local news is monitored mainly to understand framing. Sharing information involves hesitation, verification, and concern about AI-generated content. A journalism professional describes structural pressures where speed overrides accuracy, leading to reliance on cross-referencing and official statements. A key challenge is the lack of trustworthy local analysis, pushing young people toward foreign perspectives and reducing engagement with domestic issues. A sociological perspective frames mistrust as a social response shaped by hegemonic narratives and internalized self-censorship, where indifference becomes a learned form of self-protection.

Female students significantly outnumber male students in Azerbaijani journalism programs, reflecting a broader trend in journalism education. Despite this numerical dominance, longstanding beliefs that journalism is a male profession persist, echoed in research describing the field as a pink-collar ghetto where women remain underrepresented in leadership and face systemic inequalities. Interviews conducted for a master’s thesis reveal ongoing contradictions between perceptions of gender equality and the lived realities of women journalists, highlighting unresolved tensions surrounding gender roles in the industry.

TikTok has significantly influenced the music industry, offering a platform for emerging artists to gain exposure and connect with audiences globally. While some artists, like Halsey, express frustration with record labels prioritizing TikTok virality, others, such as the Brazilian band Dennehy, have leveraged the platform to expand their fanbase internationally. However, not all musicians embrace TikTok, with some, like Jeppe Schartau, criticizing its lack of authenticity. Despite differing opinions, TikTok remains a powerful tool for music marketing, with a substantial impact on music discovery and artist promotion.

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Shahla Karimli, a 27-year-old who had never seen her hometown of Shusha, finally returns with her family after years of displacement due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Her father, Karim Karimli, a journalist and writer, has been dedicated to preserving Shusha's cultural heritage. The family's return marks a significant emotional and cultural reconnection, with Karim planning to establish a museum and promote Shusha's heritage. Despite social challenges, Shahla remains optimistic about reconnecting with her community and sharing her experiences.