According to Freedom House’s The Struggle for Trust Online report, Armenia has improved its Internet freedom score by 2 points. This year, Armenia’s Internet score improved from 72 to 74 and is now classified as having free Internet.

The conclusion is based on the fact that during the reporting period from June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024, there were no instances of social media platforms or websites being blocked in our country. According to the international organization, Armenia’s online environment remains open and is improving.

As an example of improvement that can contribute to establishing a free and reliable media environment, the organization mentions the steps towards the transition to the self-regulation system of the media. “In April 2024, the Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Diaspora, Youth, and Sports of the National Assembly proposed amendments to the ‘Mass Media’ Law and the ‘Civil Code.’ As stated in the report, these amendments aim to establish a self-regulation system for the media, including existing outlets.”

Another important initiative addressed by the International Human Rights Organization is the 2024-2026 concept and action plan to combat disinformation, which aims to strengthen the capacities of the public and private sectors in this direction and promote media literacy. Concerns about the concept were raised as early as the November 2023 report. It suggested that the definition of disinformation needs to be clarified. Additionally, the government should ensure that individual state bodies are held accountable for identifying and combating disinformation.

In addition to the freedom of the Internet, the report also discusses the polarization of our country’s information landscape, political pressures, and misinformation spread.

“In some online media, journalists are often restricted from straying from editorial policies, which are sometimes affiliated with political parties or forces,” the report stated.

The report includes the episode involving the arrest of Narek Samsonyan and Vazgen Saghatelyan, the hosts of the Imnemnimi podcast. It states that they were sentenced to two months of preliminary detention for insulting Prime Minister Pashinyan.

The international human rights organization highlighted several existing issues, including the intimidation and physical violence faced by journalists in their professional roles. The report indicates that while such attacks have declined somewhat since the Velvet Revolution, they still occur. According to the Committee for the Protection of Freedom of Speech, in 2023, there were reports of 6 incidents of physical violence and 60 other cases of violence against journalists.

Another issue is the prevalence of online hate speech directed at LGBT+ individuals, primarily from far-right organizations and political movements.

Freedom House also reported a notable increase in spyware attacks, particularly from Pegasus regarding digital security. The targets of these attacks included the websites of state departments, civil society groups, and media outlets.