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While Russia tries to manipulate information, local civil society is teaching Armenians media literacy

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 11/11/2026, 20:31:25 UTC.

Briefings

Armenian journalists and activists launched the 'Verify This' platform to combat Russian disinformation during a period of heightened conflict. The initiative, supported by the Digital Spark project, produced six educational video reels teaching fact-checking techniques like lateral reading and AI artifact identification. Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was re-elected in June 2026 amid reports of Russian interference, marking a shift away from reliance on Russian military support. NewsGuard reported 31 fabricated stories about Pashinyan circulated in one week, highlighting the sophistication of modern disinformation campaigns. The project aims to equip social media users with tools to counter misleading content and restore trust in institutions.

Key points

• Armenian journalists and activists launched the 'Verify This' platform to combat Russian disinformation during a period of heightened conflict.
• NewsGuard reported 31 fabricated stories about Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan circulated in one week, highlighting the sophistication of modern disinformation campaigns.

Context

Armenia is a landlocked country that relied on Russian support during its conflict with Azerbaijan. However, in September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive, expelled the Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh, and dissolved the region's government. Armenia received a blow from Russia in 2022-2023, when it was not supported by Russian military forces. Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was re-elected in June 2026 amid reports of Russian interference, marking a shift away from reliance on Russian military support.

Limitations

The evidence is limited to a single interview with Armin Asryan regarding the 'Verify This' project. Specific details on the project's full scope, beneficiary demographics, or long-term impact are not fully provided. The evidence also notes that the project was part of a larger Digital Spark initiative, but specific metrics on its reach or effectiveness are not detailed in the provided text.

Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 11/11/2026, 21:02:52 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.

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