We Should Utilize This Environment Created for Media to Have a Better News Culture: Pashinyan

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, expressed gratitude today to all media representatives who monitor the government's activities during a meeting with them.

"These criticisms help us to be more refined, more precise, and effective. Based on the results of the past 1.5 years, I can personally say that I feel this positive impact and I want to thank you for this work. However, I do not want it to create the impression that I think everything should remain as it is. Because when we talk about government transparency and the tool for ensuring that transparency is the media, the question arises: isn't it logical that the public expects similar transparency from the media? I believe this expectation is as legitimate as the expectation of transparency from government officials. I invite the media to collaborate on this issue and find solutions," said the Prime Minister.

He recalled that he had been a journalist and editor for many years. "I am convinced that I was not a better journalist than any other journalist operating in Armenia, nor was I a better editor than any other editor currently working in Armenia, but I can say that the times in which you work as a journalist or editor are much better than the times I worked as a journalist or editor," he said.

According to Pashinyan, there are many organizations, ministries, and even officials in Armenia who are still operating under the same logic as they did 3 or 7 years ago. "Today, there are media organizations that operate the same way they did 3, 7, or 10 years ago. Regarding the government, I have said that I will not tolerate that, but concerning the media, I do not want to make an assessment because this is a matter of choice for each individual. However, I would like to draw attention to this fact. I want to emphasize that we should utilize this environment created for media to develop a better news environment and a better news culture," the Prime Minister stated.