Statement in response to the Report by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media by Ambassador Andranik Hovhannisyan at the 1584th meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council

05 November, 2026

Mr. Chair,

The Delegation of Armenia warmly welcomes Ambassador Jan Braathu, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, back to the Permanent Council and expresses its appreciation for his comprehensive report. We particularly value its balanced approach, which highlights both existing challenges and areas of progress.

As we approach the thirtieth anniversary of this mandate, Armenia reaffirms its strong and unwavering support for the Representative and his Office. The mandate’s early warning, standard-setting and advisory functions remain as relevant as ever.

Ensuring a free, independent and pluralistic media environment remains a key priority for the Government of Armenia. Armenia has consistently been recognized by Freedom House for maintaining an open internet environment, with no blocking of social media platforms or websites and no restrictions on network connectivity. Armenia also continues to rank first in its region in the World Press Freedom Index.

Our active engagement in the Freedom Online Coalition, the International Partnership for Information and Democracy and the International Fund for Public Interest Media, alongside our cooperation with the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Council of Europe, reflects Armenia’s sustained commitment to upholding freedom of expression, promoting media freedom and strengthening democratic resilience.

Mr. Chair,

On 7 June 2026, Armenia held parliamentary elections under extensive domestic and international scrutiny. A total of 71 local media outlets and 180 foreign journalists covered the electoral process freely and without obstruction. According to the International Election Observation Mission, voters were presented with a genuine choice in a vibrant and pluralistic political environment.

At the same time, as international observers noted, the elections took place against the backdrop of unprecedented foreign interference. Disinformation campaigns, cyber threats and other hybrid activities sought to polarize society and erode confidence in democratic institutions.

We share the Representative's assessment that public interest journalism constitutes one of the most effective safeguards against disinformation. At the same time, efforts to counter information manipulation must not come at the expense of legitimate public debate, critical journalism or dissenting views. Responses to disinformation should strengthen, rather than constrain, freedom of expression.

Guided by this principle, Armenia has placed particular emphasis on media literacy and institutional transparency. Media literacy has been incorporated into national education standards and teacher certification processes, while targeted school-based initiatives seek to equip younger generations with critical thinking and analytical skills.

We have also strengthened our international cooperation in this regard, including through hosting the EU Civilian Partnership Mission, which provides longer-term support in addressing foreign information manipulation and interference, cyber threats and illicit financial flows.

In this context, we look forward with particular interest to the forthcoming report of the Representative's Office entitled Strategies against Disinformation: From Response to Resilience, which we believe will provide a valuable contribution to ongoing discussions.

Mr. Chair,

Coming to other aspects of the mandate, we strongly believe that the Representative is uniquely positioned to exercise an early warning function by monitoring, identifying, and reporting on instances of state sponsored incitement to hatred, identity-based intolerance and hostile propaganda that may fuel violence within and across the societies. Timely attention to such patterns can contribute not only to the protection of journalists and media pluralism, but also to broader conflict prevention across the OSCE area.

In conclusion, Armenia remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting and protecting freedom of expression and media freedom. We look forward to maintaining and further strengthening our close cooperation with the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and his Office.

Thank you.

MFA RA
official website

Dual citizenship

Electronic visa

Visa applications