No positive dynamics in freedom of expression in Armenia - CPFE

ArmInfo.  Armenia remains one of the countries with a semi-free press.  Although it occupies a leading position in the region, the lack of noticeable progress is alarming. Ashot Melikyan, Chairman of the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression (CPFE) of Armenia, made this statement at a press  conference in Yerevan on April 23 dedicated to the state of freedom  of speech in Armenia and the violations of journalists' rights and  media in the first quarter of 2025.

He noted that this fact is confirmed by the report of the  international human rights organization Freedom House, which rated  freedom of speech in Armenia at 2  out of a possible 4 points.  "International organizations have not recorded any positive changes  in the field of freedom of speech in Armenia, and the progress  recorded after the 2018 revolution has  significantly slowed down,"  Melikyan explained.  Referring to the total number of violations,  Melikyan noted that 56 violations were recorded during the first  quarter of 2025, including two cases of physical violence, 25 cases  of pressure on the media, and 29 cases of violations of the right to  receive and disseminate information. "Compared to 2024, when 58  violations were recorded, we can say that the situation has not  changed much. However, last year there were no cases of physical  violence, while this year there have already been two," the head of  the CPSU emphasized.

When asked which government agencies journalists complain about most  often, Melikyan noted that these are the Office of the Prime Minister  of Armenia, several ministries, the Prosecutor General's Office, the  Yerevan City Hall, and other institutions.  In conclusion, Melikyan  also mentioned that the new US administration had suspended its  international aid, which, according to him, had a significant impact  on the information sphere in Armenia, as many media outlets relied on  funding from these sources. According to the Chairman of the  Committee, journalistic organizations, including the Committee for  the Protection of Expression itself, had been affected by this  decision, putting them  in a challenging situation.