Guest Op-Ed : Armen Sargsyan
Armenian Radio is asked: which is worse, chronic alcoholism or chronic lying?
Armenian Radio answers: chronic president
Armenian Radio, which is already 100 years old, was famous for its jokes during the Soviet Union. They subtly criticized the morals on that side of the Iron Curtain and the Berlin Wall. In Yerevan, an imaginary person on the Armenian Radio humorously answered listeners’ questions, delicately explaining to them the issues of freedom and democracy. These jokes were the maximum threshold of freedom of speech, after which people could just disappear without a trace. In 1937, the Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents was taken from his home to prison in a bread selling truck, and now no one knows where his grave is. This happened to millions within decades. These cases were probably a big rehearsal for everything that is happening in the world regarding attacks on freedom of speech. And despite this, many are still ready to fight for their right to express themselves. Why, considering the dangers and disappointments? Perhaps, I should start answering this question with my example, following the classic rules of the essay.
When I decided to become a journalist in 1995, in Armenia, that just gained independence from Soviet Union, it seemed that the Armenian Radio jokes would lose its relevance. Sadly – they didn’t. It was once again felt that journalism, criticism, investigations are essential against restrictions, repressions, and arrests. When I became a journalist, I had not yet seen the memorial wall of the American Newseum, which commemorates over 2,300 reporters, photographers, and broadcasters who died in the line of duty. I don’t know if that would have kept me from my chosen profession. Hardly, because we are all starting to “get infected” with the miracle of creating and distributing content called media. Modern technologies, unlimited mobile tariffs and AI assistants only enhance that feeling, of course, bringing with them problems, generation battles and again… new technologies.
In 2005, in Hilversum, the Netherlands, I first heard about cloud technologies and for a long time I did not understand how information could be stored in the air. I was participating in an international training course at RNW Media’s Radio Netherlands Training Center (RNTC), where about 30 people from about a dozen countries gathered. We were trying to turn facts into media formats – an ongoing challenge for the future of media. I can only say that ten years later, I started teaching such a program at one of the leading universities in Armenia, keeping in mind the lessons I learned from RNTC․ I highlight this path from Armenian Radio to the transformed Radio Netherlands – RNW Media, for two reasons.
First, over time, free press shortened the distances and opened the imaginary and physical borders. Second, people themselves became media and undoubtedly enjoyed the feeling that journalists have when publishing something. The latter, thanks to social media, contributed to the struggle for freedom and democracy all over the world. In Armenia, too, changes have gradually taken place. It is customary to measure them with various reports, indexes and surveys. For example, according to the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, Armenia has significantly improved its position and is one of the leaders in the region with 43 points. According to Freedom House, Armenia is an internet free country, again with positive indicators. Despite all this, journalism Armenia is often discredited, facing insults and physical attacks. Their work improves the situation and provides better indices, but they are often blamed for polarizing society.
Now, good data-journalists know that stories and heroes are hidden deep within statistics and indices. Among the same and boring lines, the most interesting are the outliers: indicators that do not obey the general rules, which interest people more. And I can say that Press Freedom Day is about this. The efforts of media professionals are what drives up the indices, and the violence against them is what brings down the good records. The year 2026 and beyond will bring new challenges to them. I consider disinformation, which casts a shadow over the profession and destroys public trust, to be the most dangerous one. There is an Armenian proverb: Pain comes on horseback, but medicine comes on foot. Journalists are on foot against manipulation and disinformation that travel on horseback. But still, it is worth to wait for them, everywhere. And it’s great that at least for one day we are talking about the incredible efforts they are making to preserve this day of freedom.
Armen Sargsyan is experienced project management, public policy and communication professional. He has covered political, social and economic events, produced films, implemented project in media, trade, economy, civil society and education spheres in Armenia, Europe and the United States. Armen is a holder of numerous national and international professional awards. EU, public policies, media literacy, information security, digital media innovations and education are among areas of interest. He is author and contributor of publications, research papers and books. He is also an alumnus of RNWM Media’s RNTC training center.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this guest essay are those of the author. RNW Media is not responsible for the opinions shared.