Armenia has ranked 61st out of 180 countries in the 2020 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders.

The index on Armenia reads:

Diversity but not yet independence

Media diversity has blossomed but the government that emerged from Armenia’s “velvet revolution” in the spring of 2018 has failed to reduce the media’s polarization. The editorial policies of the main TV channels coincide with the interests of their owners. Journalistic independence and transparent media ownership are still far from being achieved. There is concern about the volume of judicial proceedings against journalists and about excesses in the fight against fake news. The involvement of the security services in combatting disinformation, followed by arrests of social media users, and attempts to legislate without prior discussion with civil society and journalists are alarming. However, investigative journalism is flourishing online and is well placed to play a major role in a national offensive against corruption.

Armenia ranked 61st in 2019, 80th in 2018, 79th in 2017, and 74th in 2016.

Norway came in 1st place, followed by Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

Georgia came in 60th, Turkey in 154th, and Azerbaijan – 168th.

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