In the digital age, information is power — and in Armenia, that power is growing every day. As the founder of a media company, I see both the tremendous potential and serious responsibility that comes with owning a voice in the public space.
News websites and social media platforms now influence more than just what we read. They shape how we think, how we vote, and even how we relate to each other. But is that influence always positive?
The Double-Edged Sword of Information
On one hand, Armenia’s online media ecosystem has become a space of activism, awareness, and accountability. Social networks have empowered young voices, raised local issues to national attention, and allowed independent journalism to thrive despite pressure.
But there is a darker side.
We also see:
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A flood of unverified content and misinformation,
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Politically motivated manipulation of public opinion,
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Hate speech and division, amplified by algorithms.
In this environment, even honest journalism struggles to compete with sensationalism.
What Needs to Change
1.Media Literacy Must Become a National Priority
We need to educate citizens — especially young people — on how to identify credible sources and resist manipulation.
2.Stronger Ethical Standards in Journalism
News websites must take full responsibility for the accuracy and impact of what they publish. Speed should never come before truth.
3.Transparent Ownership and Funding
Citizens have the right to know who owns the media they consume and whose interests it may serve.
4.Collaboration Between Platforms and Society
We must create spaces where media, civil society, and readers engage constructively — not just consume passively.
What We Must Strive For
At Octopus Media Group, we believe in a vision where media builds bridges — not walls.
We strive to:
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Offer fact-based reporting with no political bias,
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Support public opinion through honest research,
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Use social networks to engage, not enrage.
Because the goal of media is not just to inform — it is to educate, empower, and elevate.
Final Thought
As Armenians, we deserve more than fast news. We deserve reliable information, thoughtful journalism, and online spaces that reflect the society we want to build — united, informed, and forward-looking.
It’s not just about what we publish. It’s about what kind of country we help shape.
By Lida Nalbandyan, Founder & CEO of Octopus Media Group