Media Under Attack: The Spread of Hostile Political Rhetoric in Armenia

31.03.2025

 

By Tigran Grigoryan

 

On March 26, Armenia’s National Assembly became the stage for two troubling incidents that highlight the country’s deepening political polarization and growing concerns about democratic backsliding. In one case, journalists were forcibly removed from the parliamentary press balcony while protesting against an MP’s derogatory remarks. In another, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan delivered a combative speech, leveling threats and insults at Armenia’s former presidents, further inflaming political tensions.

 

Crackdown on press freedom

 

Officers of the State Protection Service (SPS) forcibly removed journalists from the National Assembly’s press balcony as they conducted a peaceful protest. The journalists held signs demanding an apology from Civil Contract MP Andranik Kocharyan, who had recently made disrespectful remarks to journalist Hripsime Jebejyan. Their signs read: “Say Sorry!” and “Andranik Kocharyan, Clean Your Lips!” SPS officers confiscated the protest materials and forcibly removed the journalists from the area.

 

This latest action adds to growing concerns about the Armenian government’s attitude toward press freedom. The forceful removal of journalists from a space designated for media professionals raises serious questions about the authorities’ commitment to upholding freedom of expression and ensuring that journalists can operate without intimidation.

 

Following this incident, many journalists recalled that in 2013, Sargis Khandanyan—now a Civil Contract MP but then a journalist with CivilNet—participated in a similar protest inside the National Assembly chamber itself. At the time, no one obstructed the demonstration.

 

Prime Minister’s confrontational rhetoric

 

Later that day, in a heated parliamentary session, Prime Minister Pashinyan escalated political tensions by directing threats and insults at Armenia’s three former presidents—Levon Ter-Petrosyan, Robert Kocharyan, and Serzh Sargsyan. He accused them of avoiding a direct debate with him on the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh’s loss and warned them to either engage in a public discussion or remain silent.

“If you are ready to debate, let’s talk. If not, sit down and shut up,” Pashinyan declared. His remarks became even more combative as he threatened to “throw them against the wall” and “trample them underfoot.”

 

This is not the first time Pashinyan has used offensive language to attack his opponents. It appears that the prime minister and the ruling party are already in an electoral mode, with the 2026 parliamentary elections not too far away. As the election approaches, this kind of rhetoric is likely to become even more commonplace.

 

The ruling party is not taking any steps to curb political polarization or offensive rhetoric. On the contrary, it continues to instrumentalize such tactics for its domestic political purposes. This further erodes the space for meaningful debate and policy discussions, both of which are central to a properly functioning democracy.

 

Democracy Watch is a joint initiative of CivilNet and the Regional Center for Democracy and Security.

 

This material has been funded by UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies.