Prime Minister Pashinyan Emphasizes Education as Key to Combating Information Manipulation

Armenian Prime Minister Addresses Paris Peace Forum on Media Independence

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia emphasized the critical importance of information integrity and independent media during a high-level conference at the 8th Paris Peace Forum on Wednesday. The event brought together influential world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Speaking as both a national leader and former journalist, Pashinyan highlighted Armenia’s significant progress in media freedom since the 2018 Velvet Revolution. “According to the World Press Freedom Index, from 2019 to 2024 Armenia advanced from 80th to 34th place among 180 countries,” Pashinyan noted, underscoring his administration’s commitment to fostering an environment where journalism can flourish independently.

The Armenian leader placed particular emphasis on the evolving nature of threats to media independence in the digital age. “With the growing tendencies of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, it is becoming a matter of national security to protect the independence of media,” he stated. This perspective reflects growing concerns across democracies worldwide about the weaponization of information.

Pashinyan’s address occurred against the backdrop of increasing global anxiety about artificial intelligence and its potential to further blur the lines between fact and fiction in news reporting. He characterized these developments not as abstract concerns but as “real, immediate and global” threats that directly challenge democratic governance and public trust.

The Prime Minister called for a multi-faceted approach to addressing these challenges, beginning with education. “We need education that on the cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioral levels promotes such values as non-discrimination, respect for diversity and the rights of other people regardless of their ethnic or religious belonging,” he explained, pointing to the democratization of media creation through smartphone technology.

Armenia’s commitment to international cooperation on these issues was evident in Pashinyan’s announcement that the country plans to join the International Fund for Public Interest Media as a Focus Region State Member. This move signals Armenia’s willingness to collaborate with like-minded nations in defending what Pashinyan called “the cause of truth, transparency, and freedom of expression.”

The conference comes at a critical moment for media integrity globally, with authoritarian regimes increasingly deploying sophisticated disinformation campaigns and democratic nations struggling to balance free speech with the need to combat harmful falsehoods. The gathering in Paris represents an attempt by democratic leaders to forge common approaches to these shared challenges.

Armenia’s position is particularly noteworthy given its geopolitical context. The South Caucasus nation has navigated complex relationships with regional powers while attempting to strengthen its democratic institutions following the peaceful revolution that brought Pashinyan to power in 2018.

Media experts have noted that Armenia’s improved standing in press freedom rankings represents one of the more significant democratic success stories in the post-Soviet space, though challenges remain in ensuring the financial sustainability of independent outlets and protecting journalists from harassment.

The Paris Peace Forum, established in 2018, has become an important platform for multilateral discussions on global governance challenges, bringing together governments, international organizations, NGOs, companies, and civil society representatives. This year’s focus on information integrity reflects growing recognition that democratic societies cannot function properly without reliable information ecosystems.