Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has issued a congratulatory message on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day. The message reads:

“Dear journalists, colleagues,

Congratulations on World Press Freedom Day! The Government highly appreciates the role played by the free press in ensuring Armenia’s development, strengthening democracy and providing for proper public control.

I am confident that the press has never been as free in our country as in the last three years, as evidenced by numerous reports published by international organizations. According to the World Press Freedom Index, published every year since 2002 by Reporters Without Borders, our country recorded a progress of 19 points as compared to 2018, ranking 61st in 2019.

In 2020, we maintained our position, and retreated by 2 points in 2021, which is largely due to the restrictions imposed amid the global pandemic and the war. Nevertheless, Armenia is among the nations with the freest press in the post-Soviet space. I am convinced that our country will continue to make progress in the near future.

I consider it especially important for the media to ensure objective activities, to provide the public with complete and comprehensive information. COVID-19 and the war demonstrated the importance and necessity of addressing these issues.

Freedom of the press is the most important value that we must preserve and develop. Long live the free press; long live the free reporter!”