The source of photo: ADEPT.

Investigative and fact-checking journalists from Armenia, as well as representatives of media NGOs, traveled to Moldova from March 23 to 25 at the initiative of the Public Journalism Club NGO to familiarize themselves with that country’s experience in investigative journalism.

The initiative was implemented within the framework of the project “Learning from Moldova: Building Armenia’s Democratic Resilience.” It has been made possible with the support of the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation – a project of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

The Armenian delegation included Kristian Ginosyan, journalist at Ampop.am; Ani Yeghiazaryan from the Media Initiatives Center (Media.am); Hayk Hovhannisyan, fact-checker at the Civilitas Foundation; Gevorg Tosunyan, representative and fact-checker at CivilNet; and Lusine Hakobyan, investigative journalist at Hetq.am.

The participants held meetings with public and media organizations in Moldova, including TVNord, 24 Martie, ADEPT, Ziarul de Gardă (ZdG), API, RISE Moldova, Cu Sens, NordNew.

During the meetings, Moldovan partners shared their experience with the participants in combating disinformation and manipulation during the electoral period and in strengthening societal resilience.

Key attention was also given to strategies and actions aimed at countering false narratives and propaganda. Representatives of civil society and journalists presented their experience in this field. A number of tools used in investigative journalism were also introduced, which, according to the participants, could be successfully applied in Armenia as well.

Lusine Hakobyan, journalist at Hetq.am and participant in the program, says that in Moldova independent investigative media outlets and media experts fought in a united and coordinated manner against disinformation and foreign influence. She noted that the conducted investigations and the exposed schemes involving pro-Russian businessman Ilan Shor and the political party he founded, Shor Party, were especially impressive.

“Although Armenia is situated in a different geopolitical environment, the need to combat disinformation and external influence also exists in our country. This is especially relevant in the context of the upcoming elections expected in June, when the risks of information manipulation increase significantly,” emphasizes Lusine Hakobyan.

The aim of the “Learning from Moldova: Building Armenia’s Democratic Resilience” program is to strengthen the democratic resilience of Armenia ahead of the 2026 elections by studying Moldova’s experience in countering external interference and hybrid threats.

More detailed coverage of the meetings of the Armenian delegation is available in the reports by NordNews and ADEPT.