The following article consists of two parts. The first part presents some problems, the second reveals other problems, and the conclusion brings forward other issues.

Part A 

Problems of the Press in Armenia

Restrictions on free speech and freedom of the press, political interference, self-censorship, and lack of independent journalistic research are among the main challenges facing the press in Armenia. The country’s authorities frequently come under criticism for their suppression of the press. Journalists often encounter threats and violence. Additionally, there are instances of defamation lawsuits by public figures that severely curtail press freedom.

Most press activity is concentrated in Yerevan’s capital, while regional media outlets often grapple with financial difficulties. Furthermore, the media is frequently subject to political influence in the realm of political strife.

European institutions and international journalistic organizations have repeatedly urged the Armenian authorities to improve the situation and uphold press freedom, yet significant progress remains elusive.

 Part B 

If you read the previous part, I would like to inform you that the text was entirely generated by artificial intelligence (AI from now on). Only one instruction was given: “Write a short article about the problems of the press in Armenia.”

The text was not even edited.

Indeed, the content presented can spark debate. Some may argue that the issues are exaggerated, while others may believe they were not analyzed in depth. However, the question at hand lies in a different domain. AI, or in this case, Claude, is now capable of generating texts in Armenian that are almost error-free within seconds. On the one hand, this could lead to the creation of political and analytical content that is filled with fluff and devoid of substance. On the other hand, it could also elevate the quality of news outlets like Perfect TV, making them more intelligent, albeit through artificial means.

 Conclusion 

On the one hand, AI enables significant time saving, which is a straightforward and non-debatable fact. On the other hand, let’s not forget instances in Armenia where news outlets replaced human translators with Google Translate (this is not mockery; real cases have been documented). Now, imagine the potential consequences when the unprofessionalism of certain editors, the laziness of some journalists, and the efficient AI technologies meet. We might even dream of returning to the ‘golden age’ of PerfectTV.

In any case, It is recommended that self-respecting editorial offices quickly incorporate the AI toolkit into their daily work.

The views expressed in the column are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Media.am.