The health of a democracy can be evaluated by the degree of its press freedom. A free and independent media plays a vital role in safeguarding democracy, including ensuring the accountability of those in power and guarding against unchecked corruption. The media’s duty is to empower citizens with accurate, complete, and unbiased information, enabling informed decision-making and encouraging constructive public participation in the democratic process. How does the press safeguard democracy? How can small democratic nations like Taiwan, Armenia, Estonia, and Georgia protect their media ecosystem and fight off the influences of neighboring authoritarian regimes? What lessons can we learn from Hong Kong and the recent foreign agent act in Georgia? How can the media and civil society fight back against censorship?

The Armenia Project is a 2024 Concordia Annual Summit Core Programming Partner.