Keen observers of Armenia’s media are likely to remember two dates from 2015: 23 June and 6 December. In the heat of the Armenian summer, journalists were harassed outside the presidential palace as riot police violently dispersed people protesting against electricity price rises, in what became known as Electric Yerevan. Five months later, selective coverage of the elite-sponsored constitutional referendum revealed the effects of murkey media ownership all too clearly.
Despite the growing influence of online media, television, which is under the control of the government, remains the main source of information for most people in Armenia. In the relatively uncontrolled online space, news reports can sometimes lead to attacks by different government agencies, and journalists have to spend months protecting their sources. At the same time, online platforms have poor prospects for finding financing (often through advertising), while the ownership of large TV companies remains both political and opaque.
Here’s a look back on the key developments for Armenia’s media in 2015.
