YEREVAN. – Media creates a number of problems for the government, but Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is happy about it.

“Media creates a number of problems for the government, but at the end of the day I am very happy to see that, as sometimes the rumors make it possible for us to raise the issues that we would not even mention in other environment,” he said during a New Year reception for the media on Wednesday evening.

Pashinyan emphasized that after the revolution the media “is freer than ever in Armenia”. The PM said he always asks reporters, who are accompanying him during the foreign visits, whether he media freedom is restricted.

“I am happy to state that I have not received an answer that would prove my previous statement to be wrong,” he added.

Pashinyan condemned the cases of hindering journalists’ activities or attacking media outlets. He dismissed the rumors that the authorities could be behind or could direct the attacks on the media.

The Prime Minister recalled that he used to be a journalist and an editor once.

“I am sure I was not a better journalist than anyone standing here, not better editor than any of the editors working in Armenia now, but I can confidently say that now is much better time for you, whether you are a reporter or an editor,” he added.