Back Council of Europe and Armenian stakeholders partner for fair election coverage

Council of Europe and Armenian stakeholders partner for fair election coverage

Media professionals and electoral stakeholders in Armenia strengthened their understanding of fair, balanced and impartial election coverage ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 2026, during a workshop organised jointly by the Council of Europe and the Commission on Television and Radio of Armenia on 6 May in Yerevan.

The workshop brought together approximately 60 representatives of audiovisual media service providers, the Central Electoral Commission, the Ombudsperson’s Staff, and electoral observation missions. It provided practical guidance on the rights and responsibilities of media actors during the pre-election period, as well as on the challenges they may face while ensuring accurate information, equitable access and fair representation of political actors.

Media freedom is strengthened when media regulation is accompanied by proportionate safeguards. Such safeguards help protect the public from harmful content and disinformation, while also ensuring equitable access for different actors. They are crucial during elections, when accurate information and fair representation can significantly influence public trust and democratic outcomes.

With Armenia set to head to the Parliamentary Elections in June 2026, the Council of Europe has intensified its co-operation with national electoral stakeholders to protect media freedom and the integrity of the information space.  

The Commission on Television and Radio presented a comprehensive overview of the media landscape, the legal framework for the pre-electoral campaign, the methodology for assessing equal conditions for political parties and alliances, and the procedures related to monitoring and reporting.

The Council of Europe placed particular emphasis on the use of artificial intelligence in media in the context of elections. While AI can support media work by improving efficiency, analysis, and access to information, its misuse may also facilitate manipulation, misinformation, and bias. The workshop therefore helped participants better identify both the opportunities and risks linked to AI in the pre-election context.

With Armenia approaching the parliamentary elections in June 2026, the activity contributed to broader efforts to protect media freedom, support fair election coverage and strengthen the integrity of the information space.

The event was organised by the Council of Europe project “Promoting freedom of expression, media and access to information in Armenia” implemented within the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026.

YEREVAN, ARMENIA 6 MAY 2026
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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.
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