OSCE Centre supports new media training for Kazakh-language journalists

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 27 May 2011 - A two-day training event to improve Kazakh language journalists’ knowledge of the Internet and new media tools began today in Almaty.

Some thirty journalists, chosen through a competitive process, learned about various aspects of the Internet, including how to create blogs, set up social networks and use mobile Internet in their work. During the seminar, which was held entirely in the Kazakh language, the journalists also compared their experience of new media tools and discussed ways to improve the functionality and content of Kazakh language Internet resources. Additionally, media law experts informed the journalists about media-related legislation in Kazakhstan and its practical implications for their work.

"Journalists have a range of means by which they can publish news and articles, not least of which is the use of new media technologies. Unfortunately, these new tools are underutilized in Kazakh-language media.  I hope that this seminar will provide Kazakh-language journalists with new skills and knowledge useful to their work," said Stefan Buchmayer, Human Dimension Officer of the OSCE Centre in Astana.

The training course built on similar efforts last year to popularize new media technologies and enhance regional journalists' skills through instruction on various new media tools and the latest technological advancements. A second such course will be held in Astana next month.

The event was organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana in co-operation with the Public Foundation "Minber", the Soros Foundation Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan's Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research.