Media and Civic Participation

In pursuit of advancing the freedom of expression and civic engagement in Armenia, DDF collaborates extensively with a robust network of journalists, community-based civic activists, and human rights advocates. This collaboration entails bolstering independent media platforms, including regional ones, as well as investigative journalism endeavors and grassroots civil society organizations.

These collective efforts serve to reinforce democratic values, counter disinformation and anti-democratic narratives, as well as foster evidence-driven content centered on human rights, democratic principles, and good governance.

With a commitment to strengthen regional-level independent mass media, DDF joined the European Media Facility in Armenia: Building Sustainable and Professional Media in Armenia project implemented by the Deutsche Welle Akademie, BBC Media Action, Hetq Investigative Journalists NGO, and Factor TV with the support of the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Under the project, DDF extended grants to five regional media, enabling the grantee organizations to expand the range of topics covered by them, to diversify their media production formats, to improve their hardware and media content quality, and to augment their audience.

 

DDF values and supports independent media in Armenia. To this end, we supported Factor.am in delivering impartial coverage of current national events, analyzing key public policy issues through stories and feature series, and organizing inclusive television debates. Factor.am provides exhaustive and impartial information on justice, human rights, and good governance issues, facilitating the strengthening of civil society in Armenia, the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and improving the public perceptions of social justice and equal rights.

DDF supported the Medialab.am news website in creating alternative multimedia content, contributing to high-quality analytical news reporting. Medialab reported on Armenia’s vital political and social problems, produced inspiring human stories, and published feature articles and interviews on education, human rights, security, equality, and other essential topics.

By supporting Aliq Media, we have pursued the aim of promoting dialogue on the challenges faced by Armenia’s regional towns and rural settlements and contributing to the equitable development of the country. To this end, Aliq Media produced and released the “Chyerevan” documentary series, showcasing the problems and development potential of these towns. Screenings were organized, engaging the stakeholders to discuss actions and solutions for the problems affecting the regional towns.

The Union of Informed Citizens NGO has been combatting disinformation with support from the DDF. Through its Fip.am platform, the Union of Informed Citizens monitored information flows originating from various sources in Armenia, conducted fact checking, and produced and published investigative materials, evaluating the truthfulness of information, and respecting the principles of impartiality and neutrality.

We supported the Media Center platform of the Public Journalism Club to voice Armenia’s most critical problems through livestreamed open discussions, interviews, press conferences, and other public events. This project helped present civil society’s position on urgently needed reforms and develop a deeper understanding of human rights protection, security, democratic values, and social justice.

With our backing, the Asparez Journalists Club has executed a project across communities in the Syunik, Vayotz Dzor, Tavush, Gegharkunik, and Ararat regions. The initiative aims to enhance public participation and advance local self-government through educational programs, active civic engagement, and heightened awareness. This endeavor offers capacity-building opportunities for local youth groups, women, as well as current and aspiring council members to identify and address specific community issues.

In 2023, leading up to the Yerevan municipal council election, Political Dialogue NGO conducted a project supported by DDF aimed at enhancing and encouraging citizen participation in discussions concerning community matters. Implementing innovative methods during the highly politicized election campaign, the project empowered Yerevan residents to address priority issues impacting the city while gaining insight into urban development ideologies. The analysis of the quiz results was subsequently presented to Yerevan municipal councilors.

DDF assisted the Boon Scientific-Cultural Foundation in establishing collaborative platforms and fostering cooperation among human rights advocates from the Russian and Ukrainian communities residing in Armenia, along with local human rights NGOs. Boon TV produced a documentary series  featuring narratives of families who relocated to Armenia from the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Screenings of these documentaries were accompanied by discussions highlighting the significance of advocating for and safeguarding human rights amid the current period of instability.