What is the goal and objective of the project?

Implemented under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023–2026, the project “Promoting Freedom of Expression, Media and Access to Information in Armenia” aims to support strengthening safeguards for  freedom of expression and ongoing legislative reforms in this area, enhancing the capacity of the national audiovisual regulator, public broadcaster, institutional efforts of relevant Armenian authorities and stakeholders (Ministry of Justice, Human Rights Defender’s Staff, Central Electoral Commission ) in countering disinformation and improving media literacy, particularly in the pre-election period, legislative and practical steps in countering Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) in line with the Council of Europe instruments, as well as harmonisation of domestic legislation on access to information in line with the Tromsø Convention.

 Start date: 1 January 2026

 Duration: 12 months

 Funding: EUR 400,000, donors contributing to the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023–2026

Contact person: Ms Naira Meliksetyan, Senior Project Officer

Who benefits from the project?
  • Relevant national authorities: 
  • Ministry of Justice
  • Ministry of High-Tech Industry
  • Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport
  • Commission on TV and Radio of Armenia
  • Human Rights Defender’s Staff
  • Central Electoral Commission
  • Public TV Company of Armenia
  • major nation-wide outlets, journalists
  • media community and civil society organisations
  • general public
How does the project work?

The project is composed of three inter-connected components:

  • Component 1: Support the Ministry of Justice and other state institutions to advance currently ongoing and planned reforms of the legislative and regulatory framework governing freedom of expression, media and countering SLAPPs in Armenia.
  • Component 2: Strengthen the institutional capacity of the relevant national authorities and stakeholders, including the Commission on TV and Radio of Armenia (national audiovisual regulator), Central Electoral Commission and the staff of the Human Rights Defender (Ombudsperson) on media coverage of elections, countering information disorder, improving media literacy and enhancing the society’s resilience to disinformation. Support civil society organisations and major nation-wide media outlets, including the public broadcaster, in addressing disinformation challenges and narratives, enhancing gender-sensitive reporting, as well as support to media professionals and other stakeholders in the realm of promoting ethical, unbiased reporting and content diversification.  
  • Component 3: Enhance the legal and institutional framework on Freedom of Access to Information in line with Council of Europe standards, including the Tromsø Convention on Access to Official Documents. 
What do we expect to achieve?

The project’s overall objective (impact) is that citizens of Armenia exercise more effectively the right to freedom of expression.

Expected results include:

  • Enhanced effectiveness of relevant national authorities and stakeholders in addressing issues related to freedom of expression/media, including through a comprehensive reform of the legal, policy, and regulatory environment.
  • Strengthened media content diversity, based on unbiased, ethical and quality reporting, which would contribute to decrease of information disorder, disinformation and safety of journalists.
  • Enhanced legal and institutional framework on Freedom of Access to Information in line with the Council of Europe standards, including Tromsø Convention.
Reference documents