A group of Armenian journalists visited Moldova this week to engage with media and civil society actors on strategies to counter disinformation, particularly in the context of upcoming elections in Armenia.

During a meeting with IWPR and the Independent Countering Disinformation Centre (ICDC), the teams presented ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening resilience to disinformation. One of the highlighted initiatives was the “Voices for Moldova” campaign, which works with influencers to produce accessible, audience-oriented content aimed at exposing misleading narratives. Another example shared was the “News Alchemist” educational game, which helps young audiences develop critical thinking skills and better understand disinformation.

Discussions centred on the challenges posed by disinformation during electoral periods, with Armenian participants seeking insights ahead of their country’s parliamentary elections scheduled for June 2026.

Reflecting on his ongoing work, an investigative journalist from Armenia noted parallels between the two countries, observing that both Moldova and Armenia face similar patterns of manipulated public opinion, including the spread of fabricated polling data. He emphasized that comparable tactics are being used to influence audiences in both contexts, particularly through narratives linked to external actors, and suggested that such pressures are likely to intensify in Armenia.

Moldovan counterparts shared lessons learned from their own experience, emphasizing the importance of early coordination among stakeholders, engaging content strategies, and the role of trusted local communicators in reaching diverse audiences.

Participants also noted similarities between the Armenian and Moldovan media environments, including vulnerabilities related to external influence, political polarization, and pressures on independent journalism.

The meeting concluded with a shared understanding of the value of regional cooperation and continued exchange of practices, particularly in preparation for high-stakes electoral periods. Armenian participants expressed interest in adapting relevant Moldovan approaches to their own context, while both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining dialogue and exploring further collaboration on election-related disinformation strategies.