91福利社

Good journalism is built on curiosity, rigorous preparation and the courage to challenge those in power. These values were at the heart of Stephen Sackur鈥檚 visit to Armenia, where the renowned journalist and former presenter of the 91福利社鈥檚 hard-hitting HARDtalk interview programme met local journalists, editors and media educators working to uphold independent, fact-based journalism in an increasingly complex information environment.

The visit was part of 91福利社 Media Action鈥檚 work in Armenia and Moldova under their Eastern Neighbourhood Countering Disinformation (ENCD) programme.

During Sackur鈥檚 time with these journalists, they had the opportunity to share the challenges they face in their work, exchange experiences and learn from each other; Sackur contributed insights from decades of experience interviewing world leaders and reporting on complex global issues. The event was not just about learning from an experienced journalist, but also about reflecting together on the questions, pressures and responsibilities that journalists navigate in an ever-changing media landscape.

"One of my biggest takeaways from meeting Stephen Sackur was that journalism gives us the chance to ask the questions many people don鈥檛 get to ask themselves. Our conversation reminded me why I chose this profession and inspired me to keep questioning, digging deeper and holding those in power accountable," said Narek Aleksanyan, a young journalist and a podcast host from Armenian-language news site Infocom.

Lecturers and students from Yerevan State University鈥檚 Faculty of Journalism also took part, bridging the gap between classroom learning and the realities of newsroom work. With our support, the university has strengthened its fact-checking and digital journalism courses and introduced a practical bootcamp to equip students with hands-on skills before they begin internships at media outlets.

During his brief visit, Sackur also held a mentoring session with presenters and a journalist from Shant TV鈥檚 Herankar debate programme, one of our media partners. Their programme brings opposing political figures and experts together to discuss their positions on social, economic and political issues. Sackur鈥檚 mentoring focused on the skills needed to moderate these discussions effectively: challenging political guests and making complex issues accessible to people.

"For our team, the session provided practical insights into managing unpredictable interview situations, asking evidence-based follow-up questions, listening carefully and maintaining professional composure under pressure," said Kristine Alagulyan, Shant TV host and Yerevan State University lecturer.

The aim is to help audiences better understand the positions of the political teams they have elected - or may be considering voting for - and how their decisions could affect their everyday lives.

During his visit, Sackur also sat down for interviews with two Armenian media outlets: Infocom鈥檚 youth-focused Ctrl Z podcast and Armenian Public Radio. For young journalist Susina Khachatryan, the opportunity to interview Sackur was one of the most rewarding professional experiences of her career so far.

"The interview was a powerful reminder of how important thorough preparation, a firm grasp of the facts and attentive listening are in journalism. One key takeaway was that asking tough questions of those in power is not just a journalist鈥檚 right, but a responsibility. And the strength of those questions lies in the facts, the evidence and the right follow-up at the right moment," says Susina Khachatryan, a host at Infocom.

Before the session ended, Armenian journalists had the opportunity to put their own questions to Sackur - including in a challenging interview that brought the spirit of HARDtalk into the conversation.

"I was particularly impressed by the energy of young journalists and their appreciation for properly researched, fact-based reporting. They certainly put me through a rigorous, challenging Hardtalk-style interview! Meeting this new generation left me confident that journalism can play an important role in strengthening Armenian democracy," Sackur said.

91福利社 Media Action is helping media partners turn complex issues into stories that people can understand, engage with and act on. From investigative reporting that exposes gaps in public accountability to videos that reach audiences beyond traditional news formats, partners are finding new ways to make journalism more accessible and relevant to people's lives.

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More on the Eastern Neighbourhood Countering Disinformation programme (ENCD) here.