168 zham

The first issue of the newspaper 168 Zham (“168 Hours”) was published on September 9, 2004. Initially, it was a weekly, and later it was printed three times a week - lon Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Since 2022, it has again been published once a week, on Wednesdays.

The newspaper features analytical articles, interviews, scientific and research materials that are not time-sensitive. All content is also available on the website 168.am, which has been updated online since 2012.

The founder and editor-in-chief of 168 Zham is Satik Seyranyan, president of the Union of Journalists of Armenia.

The outlet is known for its opposition stance, with sharp criticism of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government and its policies. Pashinyan’s background as a former journalist is frequently mentioned, especially in the context of media being targeted.

According to the DataLex judicial information system, 168 Zham LLC has received 25 requests for retraction regarding materials published in the newspaper 168 Zham and on the 168.am website. Notably, most of these cases - 20 lawsuits - were filed after the 2018 change of power.

Among those who have submitted retraction requests are Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan (the claim was partially upheld), MP and businessman Khachatur Sukiasyan of the ruling Civil Contract faction (the claim was partially upheld), and the ruling Civil Contract party itself (the Yerevan Civil Court upheld the claim, and 168 Zham LLC appealed to the Court of Appeals), among others.

The ruling party also filed two lawsuits with the Administrative Court, accusing the outlet of engaging in campaigning on March 25–26, 2023, during and on the eve of the local self-government elections in the enlarged community of Sisian, Syunik region. Both lawsuits were rejected, one of them by all judicial instances in Armenia.