Kyrgyzstan makes progress on media freedom says OSCE media freedom representative

BISHKEK, 28 June 2013 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, today commended Kyrgyzstan for creating a favourable media environment in the country.

“I am pleased that I had the opportunity to share my views on the media freedom situation in the country with President Almaz Atambaev and Prime Minister Jantoro Satybaldiev,” she said. “In recent years the country has made progress in promoting media freedom and freedom of expression and I welcome the expressed commitment by the authorities to continue on this path.”

Mijatović noted that Kyrgyzstan had taken several important steps to create conditions that allow for a real debate on issues of public interest, including the creation of a public service broadcaster and the decriminalization of defamation.

“In my meetings I reiterated that those responsible for the death of Alisher Saipov, killed in 2007 in Osh, must be brought to justice. However I am very encouraged that in recent years there have been no violent attacks on journalists,” she said.

The Representative agreed with the authorities to continue to work together on several projects, including legal expertise in drafting laws dealing with digital broadcasting, organizing a regional conference on public service broadcasting and training journalists.

“It is important that Kyrgyzstan continues on creating conditions to promote media pluralism, setting a positive example for other countries in the region,” Mijatović said.

Mijatović travelled to Kyrgyzstan for the 15th Central Asian Media Conference organized by her Office. During her visit to Bishkek, she also met Deputy Foreign Minister Erines Otorbaev; Parliamentarian Natalia Nikitenko; as well as a number of journalists and representatives of civil society.