From September 23 to 25, a series of workshops titled “Freedom of Information – Legislation and Practice” was held for professionals responsible for freedom of information at Armenian state institutions within the scope of the USAID-funded Strategic Communications Support Activity. The aim of the workshops was to enhance the knowledge and professional capabilities of public officials regarding freedom of information legislation and its practical application. Approximately sixty representatives from ministries, bodies under the government, and regional authorities/marzpetarans’ units, coordinating information and public relations, participated in the workshops.
In his address to the participants, Noel Martinez, Chief of Party of the USAID Strategic Communications Support Activity, said: “Ensuring freedom of information is one of the foundations of transparency and accountability in the operations of state institutions. Our team considers this workshop as a key component of the Activity. Our partner in this endeavor is the Freedom of Information Center, which has extensive experience in building capacity in the field of freedom of information legislation.”
Shushan Doydoyan, the President of the Freedom of Information Center (FOICA), which is the program partner, emphasized the role of press secretaries and communications department employees in the field of freedom of information, mentioning that: “Over the years, through the introduction of effective mechanisms, we have collectively created a culture of transparency and freedom of information, as well as shaped an advanced practice of the freedom of information. Despite significant progress, there are still multiple challenges related to legal regulations. This workshop provides an opportunity to highlight the existing problems and expand knowledge in the field.”
Shushan Doydoyan also presented the results of a survey conducted by FOICA among journalists in April 2024, highlighting the challenges they face in accessing information from state institutions. Reflecting on the findings, participants emphasized the importance of fostering dialogue platforms between the journalistic community and state officials responsible for freedom of information within Armenian state institutions.
“Although we monitor press publications, conduct analyses, and try to understand the type of content being generated based on the responses we provide, this study allowed us to gain insights into journalists’ opinions on several key aspects of our work,” said Karine Manukyan, acting Press Secretary and the Head of the Information Department at the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports.
Workshop trainer and Freedom of Information Expert Gevorg Hayrapetyan presented practical applications of freedom of information legislation in Armenia, addressing common issues and outlining legal and organizational mechanisms for resolving them through specific examples. He emphasized the importance of developing systematic information databases managed by state institutions and tracking their status. He also highlighted the value of implementing a self-assessment mechanism within the freedom of information sector to identify issues in state institutions and develop targeted, effective solutions.
As part of the USAID Strategic Communications Support Activity, the workshop participants will have the opportunity to continue working with experts through individual consultations over the coming weeks.
