RNTC

There is an Armenian proverb that every journalist should carry with them: "Pain comes on horseback, but medicine comes on foot." In the spirit of World Press Freedom Day, Armen Sargsyan — media professional, public policy expert, and alumnus of RNW Media's RNTC training centre — opens his reflection not with inspiration, but with a sobering truth: in 1937, Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents was taken from his home in a bread-selling truck, and no one knows where his grave is. Millions of stories ended the same way. And yet, people kept choosing to speak.

Sargsyan traces his own journey from becoming a journalist in post-Soviet Armenia in 1995 — where Soviet-era jokes were still the safest form of free expression — to training at RNTC in Hilversum, an experience that would later shape how he taught the next generation of media professionals at one of Armenia's leading universities. The distances that free press has shortened, and the borders it has opened, are not abstract to him. They are lived.

Today, Armenia ranks among regional leaders on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index — a real achievement. But journalists there still face physical attacks, public distrust, and the accusation that their work polarises society. And globally, the most dangerous threat of 2026 is not censorship or arrests — it is disinformation, which travels on horseback while journalists are still walking on foot, doing the slow, unglamorous work of rebuilding public trust.

That is exactly what World Press Freedom Month is about for us. Not a celebration of perfect press freedom, but a recognition of the people making it inch forward — reporters who keep walking despite everything riding against them. Read Armen's full reflection. https://www.rnw.media/index.php/news/profession-that-is-on-foot-but-worthy-to-wait-for/

🚀 Live: RNW’s Digital Transformation Assessment (DTA)

Digital transformation is an ongoing journey and requires trust. RNW Media’s Digital Transformation Assessment (DTA) is a safe, confidential and practical tool designed to help independent media organisations reflect, innovate and transform with confidence.

Available for free in English, French, and Arabic, the DTA helps media outlets understand where they stand today - and how to move forward.

🔍 What to expect:

-Takes approximately 60 minutes to complete

-Results are for your organisation’s use only

-Data is secure, anonymous, and confidential

-A benchmarked Digital Transformation Score

-A personalised 17-page report with clear, prioritised next steps

-Aggregated, anonymous insights help strengthen the independent media sector globally

-Rather than prescribing solutions, the DTA strengthens agency — acting as a vehicle for innovation, transformation, and access to community and opportunities across the media development ecosystem.

🗣️ External review – FT Strategies:

“Simple, well-executed tool with a clear target audience. Good for raising awareness and encouraging reflection.”
— George Montagu, Head of Insights & Senior Manager, FT Strategies

💬 What happens next?
-Completion of the DTA unlocks a free 1-hour expert conversation with RNTC’s Media Viability consultants to discuss your results and priorities.
-Following participation and consultation, organisations become part of RNW’s inner network - The Vine - connecting to peers, learning, and future opportunities.

📩 Book your consultation via [email protected]

👉 Take the Digital Transformation Assessment (free):
https://rntc.com/digital-transformation-assessment

Safe. Confidential. Useful.

🚀 Now Live: Our Digital Transformation Assessment (DTA)

Public interest media outlets can now access our Digital Transformation Assessment — a free, online tool available in English, French and Arabic.

Developed with media partners across WANA, Africa, and Latin America, the DTA helps media organisations reflect on their digital and organisational performance and make informed transformation decisions, across different organisational teams.

🔍 What the DTA offers:

-A benchmarked Digital Transformation Score

-Clear insights into current structures and readiness for change

-A personalised 17-page report with practical, prioritised next steps

🌍 In a media landscape shaped by rapid technological change, AI, financial pressure, and shrinking civic space, the DTA supports outlets to:

-Establish a transformation baseline and track progress over time

-Clarify strengths and priorities — with or without funding

-Engage in meaningful, data-informed conversations with funders and partners

💬 Free consultation included
-All DTA respondents receive a free 1-hour consultation call with our Media Innovation experts to discuss results and explore next steps.
📩 Book via [email protected]
Limited spots available in May! Book your free 1-hour consultation by April30th!

🗣️ “Small newsrooms with limited technical capacity can find it hard to pinpoint where to start. The DTA provides a framework to audit their strategy, staff, and processes—helping move from broad assessment to a clear list of priorities.”
— Senior Media Advisor, global non-profit investment fund

👉 Take the Digital Transformation Assessment for free and for more information - https://rntc.com/digital-transformation-assessment
👉 Consider sharing with any suitable media partners and networks

Let’s move digital transformation from insight to action.