On the eve of World Press Freedom Day, May 2, Hetq organized an awards ceremony for fact-checking journalists in Armenia to encourage their work and emphasize the importance of the process in the country.

In 2021, Hetq created a Facebook platform (InFact/Pastatsi) which unites fact-checking journalists, specialists, and other people interested in this field.

The platform is supported by the EU delegation in Armenia and the embassies of the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Jan Plesinger, Head of the Political Press and Information Department of the EU Delegation remarked that the EU supports independent media in Armenia, because it’s a prerequisite for a dynamic civil society.

"In our time, people can choose the information they prefer, with social media, everyone feels like a journalist. At a time when disinformation thrives, fact-checking journalism is even more important. As journalists you are very influential, but at the same time vulnerable, various lobby groups can target you. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage good, quality information, which is fundamental for democracy," he said.

Dutch Ambassador to Armenia Nico Schermers also emphasized the role of journalists in the establishment of Armenian democracy, thus embassy's support of Armenian media.

Here's the winners:

1st place - Hovhannes Nazaretyan (civilnet.am), "Azerbaijani advance in Jermuk sector according to satellite photos"

2nd place - Anna Sahakyan (infocom.am), "Vigen Sargsyan and his wife really bought a private house in Belmont. Arman Babajanyan is right"

3rd place - Milena Khachikyan (infocom.am), "Legislative preparation, violation of the law, formal de-partisanship. Vahagn Hovakimyan's path to the CEC"