Los Angeles, CA – [April 18] – Zartonk Media has officially won the federal lawsuit brought against them when a federal judge from the Southern District of California, after two motions to dismiss, struck the complaint, dismissed the case, and entered judgment in Zartonk’s favor. The case is over.
This marks a major victory for independent Armenian journalism and a powerful affirmation of our mission. Filed in 2024 by an Azerbaijani-origin individual with a documented history of inflammatory public statements targeting Armenians and Armenian organizations, the lawsuit accused Zartonk Media of defamation and conspiracy for reporting on the plaintiff’s own public statements.
From the beginning, we made it clear: the claims were meritless, and the lawsuit was a direct attempt to intimidate and silence Armenian media. The court’s dismissal confirms exactly that.
This legal action wasn’t just baseless—it was part of a broader, coordinated effort to silence Armenian voices and dismantle platforms that report truthfully and unapologetically.
We stood by our reporting. We did not back down. And the court has now confirmed: there was no legal merit to this case.
Zartonk Media extends its deep gratitude to our legal team, the San Diego-based law firm of Schwartz Semerdjian Cauley Schena & Bush LLP, for their tireless legal work and their pursuit of justice for the Armenian people who were targeted as part of the lawsuit — and to our supporters, readers, and the Armenian community for standing with us every step of the way.
But let’s be clear: this may not be the last attempt to silence Armenian voices. As Zartonk grows stronger, the attacks will intensify—and as Armenian voices grow louder, so will the efforts to silence them. We’re prepared. We’re united. And we will keep fighting.
With this chapter closed, Zartonk Media remains fully committed to what we do best—delivering trusted, independent coverage for Armenians everywhere.
This win isn’t just for Zartonk—it’s a win for every Armenian voice that refuses to be silenced.
