YEREVAN – Armenia has announced its intention to become a focal member state for the International Foundation for Public Interest Media, a move signaling its deepening commitment to media independence in an era of growing global disinformation.
The announcement was made during a high-level international conference on information integrity held within the framework of the Paris Peace Forum. The Armenian delegation underscored the critical role of a free press as a cornerstone of democratic governance and national security.
“Governments must create the necessary conditions for true media independence,” stated the head of the Armenian delegation. “But in today’s landscape, protecting media from non-governmental interference, including foreign manipulation, is equally vital. This is a matter of national security.”
The speech highlighted the country’s significant progress in global press freedom rankings, noting a dramatic rise of 46 places since 2018. Officials attributed this improvement to sustained reforms aimed at fostering a pluralistic and transparent media environment.
The address framed current challenges to information integrity—such as hybrid threats, sophisticated artificial intelligence, and the weaponization of disinformation—as immediate and global dangers that erode public trust and polarize societies from within.
A key proposal to counter these threats focused on education. “With technology transforming every smartphone user into a potential news creator, media literacy for every individual becomes paramount,” the delegation head emphasized. The need for an educational framework that instills values of non-discrimination and respect for diversity at cognitive, social, and behavioral levels was stressed.
The Armenian delegation also called for enhanced international cooperation among like-minded nations that share a commitment to human rights, democracy, and a rules-based international order. It advocated for a renewed, fact-based dialogue between nations and communities to counter the trend of “parallel monologues.”
The country reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with international partners to protect the digital space and promote a global information ecosystem anchored in truth and transparency.
