The project is implemented by the FOICA with the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). As a sub-recipient of Internews Network under the Media program in Armenia the FOICA’s project aims to strengthen the capacities and skill sets of media professionals in Armenia on key issues including freedom of information, personal data protection (PDP), and beneficial ownership transparency reforms, to investigate and report on matters of public interest. The project started on January 19, 2024, and ended on January 18, 2025.
The project is designed to carry out the following activities in pursuit of its objectives:
- Organize capacity building and Mentorship scheme for the Armenian media – intensive two-day workshops on access to information (ATI), personal data protection (PDP), and beneficial ownership transparency (BOT) in Yerevan, with participation from up to 25 journalists from Yerevan and regions of Armenia.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to journalists, focusing on helping them acquire official information, appeal unjust refusals, and effectively utilize resources like the Registry of Beneficial Owners and other open data sources. The ultimate aim is to elevate the quality of their reporting on topics of public importance, ensuring it is fact-based and unbiased.
- Undertake a comprehensive research titled “Assessment of Journalists’ Access to Information Rights in Armenia,” which will evaluate the status of journalists’ access to information rights in Armenia, identify challenges they face, and outline best practices for utilizing FOI laws.
- Fostering mechanisms for submitting information requests;
- Advocacy and capacity building on defamation, insult, and FOI legislation.
The USAID-funded Media Program in Armenia aims to enhance journalistic standards, catalyze the financial viability of public interest media, and foster the enabling environment for a society protected from disinformation. The program is implemented by Internews Network and its partners – the Media Initiatives Center, Yerevan Press Club, and Zinc Network.
