OSCE supports reform of Kyrgyzstan’s governmental press services

BISHKEK, 20 December 2012 - The results of a needs assessment on the legal aspects of the work of press services of governmental institutions in Kyrgyzstan were presented in Bishkek today at an OSCE-supported conference.

The event brought together some 60 government officials and representatives of media outlets and civil society.

The needs assessment is part of efforts of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek in partnership with the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and in co-ordination with Kyrgyzstan’s Parliament and Prime Minister’s Office to help the government press service in the proactive provision of information to the public, following a request from the Speaker of Parliament in May for assistance.

Andrey Rikhter, the Director of the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, said: “Providing journalists with access to government information, and informing the public through media is essential in a democratic society, and benefits all. It ensures transparency of governmental activities and, most importantly, provides the authorities with much needed feedback from the public.”

“Our Office supports this project as part of its assistance to the ongoing reform of the press services in Kyrgyzstan, which represent a vital link between the authorities and the media, and as such must be strengthened and further developed. In the long run, such reforms can help reduce tensions in the country often caused by false information being spread, as the authorities through their press services would be empowered to engage much more directly with the mass media and general public.”

Ross Brown, the Head of the Political Military Unit of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, said: “The ability of the government to proactively provide relevant and important information is a key tenet of the overall national security framework in Kyrgyzstan. Enhancing the government’s public outreach and communication capacities can play an important role in early warning and conflict prevention, and we will continue supporting these efforts by the government.”

In 2013, several follow-up activities will be conducted in partnership with the government and civil society to raise public awareness on the importance of reforming the government press service throughout the regions of Kyrgyzstan.