In this year’s Reporters Without Borders report, Armenia has worsened its position, appearing in 34th place out of 50. It is noted that despite Armenia’s diverse media field, it remains polarized.

“The country is facing an unprecedented level of misinformation and hate speech, fueled by internal political tensions, border security issues and Armenia’s difficult position between Russia and the European Union,” the international organization assessed.

According to Reporters Without Borders, journalism as a profession in Armenia is often devalued and subject to hate speech, with politicians accusing journalists of “corruption” or serving the interests of their opponents.

“Journalists are often subjected to pressure, insults, and violence both by government officials and opposition politicians and their supporters, in parliament, on the street, and on social media,” the report said.

Human rights activists note that cases of violence against journalists often go unpunished.

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