OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports workshop for journalists in Kyrgyzstan on covering parliamentary elections
BISHKEK, 29 September 2010 - A workshop for journalists on covering the forthcoming parliamentary elections was held today with the support of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.
The half-day event for 20 journalists and editors as well as university journalism faculties from all Kyrgyzstan's regions was conducted by experts from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) with the support of the United States Agency for International Development and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, jointly with Kyrgyzstan's Central Election Commission.
Local experts on media and elections led sessions on how to effectively cover voting-related issues during and after the elections scheduled for 10 October. A handbook for journalists on reporting about elections was presented at the workshop. The book covers such topics as the basics of the electoral system, the role of the media in the election process, as well as the rights and responsibilities of journalists. The OSCE Centre published this handbook developed by the IFES in Kyrgyz and Russian languages and will distribute the publication to media representatives throughout the country.
"The parliamentary elections are being held at a challenging time for Kyrgyzstan. The objectivity and impartiality of journalists in covering election-related issues are of vital importance with respect to public understanding of their choices and public trust in the electoral process," said Oleg Semenenko, Senior Human Dimension Officer from the OSCE Centre at the workshop.
Jarkyn Bapanova, a member of the Kyrgyz Central Election Commission, addressed the journalists, saying: "While covering the elections it is crucial to observe our country's laws. When evaluating the information received journalists should be neutral, factual and accurate, using only the proven facts."
The handbook (in Kyrgyz and Russian) is available on the OSCE Centre's website: //www.osce.org/bishkek/publications.html