Freedom of Information Center of Armenia.

About two dozen representatives of the business community joined the declaration on the involvement of business in combating disinformation initiated by the Freedom of Information Center of Armenia. Through the declaration, the representatives of the business community expressed their readiness to unite the efforts of their organizations and their own, to combat disinformation.

The impact of disinformation on different spheres is becoming more and more significant day by day. Business representatives face these problems and risks every day, often not even realizing the connection between current problems and disinformation.

Taking advantage of the role of the business community in combating disinformation and preventing risks to business companies, the FOICA organized a "Combating disinformation with and for business” workshop on May 21-22. The event, organized with the support of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) within the framework of the "Empowering the Private Sector to Combat Disinformation" project, was attended by about two dozen representatives of Armenian business companies and their unifying structures.

The purpose of the informal meeting was to discuss the possible risks and problems of the impact of misinformation on the business community with experts in the field, to map out the possibilities of their prevention and effective response. The meeting was also a good platform for exchanging one's own experience in the fight against misinformation and discussing the possibilities of joint events.

Taking advantage of the ongoing role of cooperation with the business community in the fight against misinformation, the Freedom of Information Center offered the participants to adopt a joint symbolic statement to strengthen the willingness to cooperate in this field and to announce the launch of joint initiatives.

"The work on disinformation is new for the business community, all our actors in this field have a lot to do. However, one can realize that cooperation is a necessary precondition for efficiency․ Each of us has accumulated the knowledge and experience necessary for this struggle, through the combination of which we can respond to the problems caused by misinformation through more systematic and effective mechanisms. "I am full of hope that this symbolic step will become a step leading to great programs and initiatives," says FOICA President Shushan Doydoyan.

Here is the text of the symbolic declaration "Combating disinformation with and for business” and the list of persons who joined it.

"Combating disinformation: with and for business”

Declaration
22-05-2022

• Acknowledging the potential problems and negative impact of disinformation in the business sector
• Summing up outlined problems and challenges arising during the "Combating disinformation: with and for business” workshop on May 21-22, Aghveran
• Assessing solution mechanisms outlined during the seminar, prevention of risks and the possibility of effective counteractions
• As well as, emphasizing the role of business in the context of their development, operation and distribution:

The Freedom of Information Center of Armenia, represented by President Shushan Doydoyan, and a number of representatives of the business community (list of signatures: below) express our readiness to unite our efforts to combat disinformation.
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The participants of the "Combating disinformation: with and for business” seminar express their readiness to:

• Contribute to the development of media literacy and fact-checking skills for the representatives of the business community and their staff.
• Promote research to identify industry needs, risks and opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of modern tools, their usage and dissemination to combat disinformation.
• Promote the development and usage of countermeasure tools to combat disinformation within the organization and business community.
• Actively participate in discussions on issues related to the dissemination of disinformation arising from the specifics of the business community and in professional meetings. If possible, initiate such events․
• Disseminate information about the role and importance of the business in combating disinformation in favor of community and regulation in the sector.
• Contribute the implementation of advocacy of the National Strategy for Combating Disinformation by representing the interests of the business community in the process of creating and implementing the Strategy.

The declaration was joined on behalf of the workshop group:
 

1. Abgar Sargsyan՝ “Votnaman”, director
2. Ara Marutyan - “Ecoagrolog” founder
3. Aram Harutyunyan – “Capital Trust” founder, Business consultant
4. Armine Davtyan - The American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia (AmCham), Policy Advisor
5. Artyom Khachatryan - Faberlic Director (Armenia)
6. Garnik Antonyan - «GSP Group» Ltd, Co-founder
7. Garizeta Chakhoyan – Communication specialist
8. Gayane Tadevosyan - Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Armenia
9. Gohar Mnatsakanyan – “Bohem” Studio – Teahouse founder, The Association of Social Enterprises of Armenia, Vise President
10. Gevorg Tumanyan - “Tumanyan” guesthouse
11. Diana Harutyunyan - Business Support Office, established by the EBRD, Public Relations and Communications Consultant
12. Edgar Mehrabyan- Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Armenia, Project Manager
13. Lusine Petrosyan, Health marketing specialist
14. Satenik Asilyan - "Upgrade", Co-founder, Project Manager
15. Syuzanna Batoyan - ZartPrint LLC, Director
16. Syuzanna Tsaturyan - Lower
17. Varsik Mkhitaryan – “Masis” medical center, Communication specialist
18. Tigra Chakhalyan – Product manager
19. Qnarik Khachatryan - Faberlic Director (Armenia)