OSCE-supported forum in Almaty focuses on Internet development in Central Asia

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 23 May 2013 – A two-day regional forum on Internet development in Central Asia, co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana, started in Almaty today.

The forum brings together some 100 participants, including media experts and journalists from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan Uzbekistan, Russia, Lithuania, Germany, Georgia and Ukraine, as well as representatives from Kazakhstan’s government, the media community, non-governmental and international organizations, and diplomatic missions.

Participants will discuss the Internet and freedom of expression, governmental regulation of the Internet, business aspects of the Internet, local electronic media content, citizen journalism and web resources in national languages. They will also focus on the challenges of developing the Internet as one of the main sources of information, and exchange views about potential threats to the free flow of online information.

“Internet development and protection of human rights in the digital age has become a priority for the OSCE,” said Natalia Zarudna, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana. “The right to seek, receive and impart information is a fundamental human right. Today the Internet represents an indispensable source of information.  Therefore, the protection of rights that people exercise offline should be extended to their activity online.”

Andrey Rikhter, Director of the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, added: "Freedom of expression and freedom of information online remains a priority for the Representative on Freedom of the Media. This forum can serve as a standing platform to promote these values in Central Asia."

At the end of the conference, participants will formulate a set of recommendations on the further development of the Internet in the region. The recommendations will be distributed to government agencies, OSCE institutions and other interested parties.

The forum, which is held for the fourth consecutive year, is part of a series of events co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana, the MediaNet International Centre of Journalism, public foundation “Media Alliance of Kazakhstan”, the Soros Foundation-Kazakhstan, and Konrad Adenauer Foundation.