OSCE promotes public access to government information in Kazakhstan

ALMATY, 24 November 2006 - Improving public access to government information at the regional level by increasing transparency and strengthening relations between the authorities and the media is the main topic of an OSCE seminar that opened today in Almaty.

Journalists from regional media outlets and representatives from several regional authorities' press services are taking part in the two-day event, organized jointly by the OSCE Centre in Almaty and the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

"Freedom of expression and the right to receive truthful information are some of the fundamental elements of a democratic state," said Ambassador Ivar Vikki, head of the OSCE Centre. "Independence and pluralism in mass media are of great significance in a free and open society, as well as for ensuring accountability of official bodies."

The seminar is part of a training programme for several OSCE participating States implemented by the Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media. Earlier this year, journalists from the main Kazakhstani outlets and representatives of press services of key governmental bodies took part in a similar event.