Armenia has dropped 16 positions in the global press freedom index, falling from 34th to 50th place, according to the 2026 report by Reporters Without Borders.
The report notes that while the country maintains a diverse media landscape, it remains highly polarized.
“Armenia faces unprecedented levels of disinformation and hate speech, fueled by internal political tensions, border security challenges, and the country’s complex position between Russia and the European Union,” the report states, as cited by RFE/RL.
According to the organization, journalism in Armenia is often devalued as a profession and becomes a target of hate speech. Politicians accuse journalists of “corruption” or of serving the interests of their opponents.
“Journalists frequently face pressure, insults, and violence from both government representatives and opposition politicians and their supporters—in parliament, on the streets, and on social media,” the report says.
Human rights defenders noted that cases of violence against journalists often go unpunished.
In the same report, neighboring Georgia also saw a decline, dropping from 114th to 135th place. Azerbaijan and Russia were ranked among the bottom ten out of 180 countries, categorized alongside authoritarian regimes such as North Korea, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan.
The highest rankings were held by Denmark, Netherlands, and Estonia, recognized as having the most free media environments.
