Armenian and Estonian Experiences: Lessons Shared

Armenian and Estonian Experts Unite to Combat Disinformation Ahead of 2026 Elections

Media professionals and civil society representatives gathered in Yerevan this week for specialized training on identifying and countering disinformation, with a particular focus on preparing for Armenia’s upcoming 2026 parliamentary elections. The initiative brings Estonian expertise to Armenia to strengthen the country’s resilience against manipulative narratives and false information.

The capacity-building program, organized by the Public Journalism Club (PJC) with support from Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, features prominent disinformation experts including Dmitri Teperik, Director of Estonia’s National Centre for Defence & Security Awareness, and Armenian fact-checker Lusine Voskanyan.

“In an era of information disorder, narrative and future literacy are not just communication skills, they are civic necessities,” Teperik told participants. “This event shares valuable insights from Estonia on how the media and civil society can collaborate to promote social cohesion, combat manipulation and envision shared, democratic futures.”

The training arrives at a critical moment for Armenia’s information landscape. As part of the project, researchers analyzed 18 Russian-language Telegram channels with audiences totaling several million users, identifying concerning narrative patterns that circulated between May and September 2023.

The preliminary findings, presented by Voskanyan, revealed several dominant narratives including claims that Armenia’s current government is under Western influence and “betraying” traditional allies, particularly Russia. Other prevalent narratives suggested that Western funding programs represent covert interventions aimed at controlling Armenian media and electoral systems.

Researchers also identified messaging alleging that by signing the recent Peace Declaration, Armenia is distancing itself from Russia while falling under U.S. and Turkish influence. Additional narratives portrayed Prime Minister Pashinyan’s administration as pressuring the Armenian Apostolic Church and threatening national identity, while characterizing Yerevan’s policies as advancing “anti-Russian activities” through pro-Western initiatives.

“Fighting disinformation is essential for keeping democracies strong and resilient,” Voskanyan emphasized. “Today’s media platforms aren’t just spaces for sharing information, they’re also powerful tools that can shape opinions and manipulate audiences. Understanding narratives spread by Russian Telegram channels can help counter propaganda and limit their impact on public opinion and policy decisions.”

The study continues through November to assess how these narratives have penetrated Armenian media and their potential impact on public opinion, with a comprehensive report forthcoming.

The initiative reflects growing recognition of disinformation’s threat to democratic processes globally. Estonia has emerged as a leader in countering information manipulation, drawing on its experience combating Russian interference since regaining independence in 1991. The Baltic nation has developed sophisticated approaches to digital resilience that have become models for other democracies facing similar challenges.

Armenia faces particular vulnerabilities in its information space given its complex geopolitical position between Russia and Western partners, alongside ongoing tensions with neighboring Azerbaijan and Turkey. These regional dynamics create fertile ground for targeted disinformation campaigns designed to influence public opinion and political discourse.

Seda Muradyan, President of the Public Journalism Club, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing these challenges. “Global challenges require collaborative solutions. Estonia’s experience in countering disinformation provides valuable insights for Armenia as we strengthen our strategic communication capacity. Together with our partners, we aim to build a more informed, resilient, and engaged society capable of withstanding information manipulation.”

The training sessions are providing participants with practical approaches and digital tools for analyzing disinformation, identifying manipulative narratives, and effectively responding to information threats—skills increasingly viewed as essential for safeguarding democratic processes, particularly during sensitive pre-election periods.

As Armenia prepares for its 2026 parliamentary elections, initiatives like this Estonian-Armenian partnership represent important steps toward building a more resilient information environment where citizens can make political choices based on accurate information rather than manipulation and falsehoods.