Media: Level of freedom of speech in Armenia dropped sharply in last 5 years

In the last 5 years, the level of freedom of speech in Armenia has dropped dramatically, according to the local publication Zhoghovurd, Report informs.

Cases of pressure on journalists have increased in the country over the last five years: "These pressures are so great that some media organizations and individual journalists turn to the judicial system or journalists' organizations to defend themselves."

Thus, there were 36 court cases against journalists in Armenia in 2023.

According to the information, compared to the previous similar research conducted by the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression in 2013 and 2014, the result shows that the number of cases related to insult and defamation has increased by about 3 times.

"The point is that the current government, whose main core is the former representatives of the media sector, is conspiring against its colleagues in this matter and raising allegations against them," the publication wrote.