OSCE organizes training course on media literacy in Turkmenistan

Representatives of Turkmenistan’s national media and institutions involved in the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan for 2021-2025 (NHRAP) participated in an OSCE-organized training course on media literacy that took place on 19 and 20 October 2023 in Ashgabat.

International experts from Armenia and Moldova explored links between media and fundamental principles of journalism and shared insights into the modern media environment, types of media content and types of misleading information.

“The Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media developed a number of documents which call on governments to promote media and digital literacy,” said John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“We expect this training course to make an efficient contribution to the sustainability of efforts of the host country to implement in practice the provisions of the National Human Rights Action Plan related to the freedom of the media and freedom of expression,” added MacGregor.

Discussions focused on media literacy as a tool to combat stereotypes and hate speech. and the impact of media literacy and media technology on agenda setting. The experts also addressed countering disinformation and basic tools and forms of factchecking. Participants emphasized the important role of digital literacy, Internet safety, digital responsibility and critical thinking skills.

On 17 October, the Centre also organized a master class on media and digital literacy for some fifty journalism students from the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the International University for Humanities and Development and the Magtymguly Turkmen State University. The event for students was followed by a master class for journalism instructors that took place on 19 October at the Institute of International Relations.