In Our Country, the Press Has Never Been as Free as It Has in the Last Three Years: Nikol Pashinyan

Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day. The message states, in part:

“Dear journalists and colleagues, I congratulate us all on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day. The government of Armenia greatly values the role of a free press in the development of the country, the strengthening of democracy, and the provision of public oversight.

I am confident that our country has never had a press as free as it has in the last three years, as noted in reports by international organizations. According to the World Press Freedom Index by the international organization ‘Reporters Without Borders,’ our country advanced 19 points in 2019 compared to 2018, taking 61st position. We maintained our position in 2020, but in 2021, we regressed by 2 points, largely due to certain restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and military conflict.

Nevertheless, Armenia continues to be one of the countries with the freest press in the post-Soviet space. I am convinced that our country will continue to make progress in the future. I consider it particularly important to ensure the objective activity of the media representatives and to present the public with comprehensive and multifaceted information. The crises of the coronavirus pandemic and the war highlighted the significance and necessity of addressing these issues.

Press freedom is a fundamental value that we must preserve and develop. Long live free press, long live free journalists!”