Subject: Media network in the Ferghana Valley.
From: Alisher Khamidov (alisher@elcat1.osh.su)
Date: Mon Dec 13 1999 - 10:42:44 EST
Alisher,
>
>Thanks for your report of the conference. It was very interesting,
>especially your review of how local media covered the Batken events.
>
>I have one question however. What is you and your organisation's goal
>concerning issues of press freedom? Is one of your goals to create
>independent western-style media in Central Asia or are you just trying to
>help journalists do their job better in a Central Asian context, i.e. under
>government control?
>
>Look forward to hearing from you,
>
>Heather Clark
>Agence France-Presse
>
Dear Heather,
I was glad to hear you comments .
Osh Media Center is equally determined to contribute to the development of
the freedom of press in the southern Kyrghyzstan, in the Ferghana Valley,
and to help media representatives increase their professional skills and
economic performance (objective news reporting, newspaper/TV/Radio
management and marketing)
Media Resource Center doesn't necessarily pursue a goal of creating
western-style media. It is up to media representatives to choose what they
want. We truly hope that by providing different opportunities and access to
various information sources, we will help local media representatives to
choose what they find relevant within existing political and economic
conditions. In Osh, we are happy to observe the increase in the number of
young people - journalists who show enthusiasm and openness to new ideas.
During the conflict in Kosovo, we did our best to supply Osh and Jalal-Abad
based journalists with perspectives from various news sources around the
world (CNN, Associated Press, BBC, Reuters, etc.) in an effort give a
different angle from and to oppose information coming from Russian media
(mainly ORT), which is a dominant source of information in the vast former
USSR.
By providing free English language courses, basic computer skills
development classes, Internet, email access, Media Resource Center hopes to
encourage involvement and contribution of local journalists to mainstream
media in capitals and outside the country.
Our free consultations on grant applications and donor organizations have
already helped several media outlets to receive grant advanments from
several donor organizations.
A number of Osh journalists who were trained in our center, have
participated in exchange programs in US., Sweden, Danemark, England and CIS
countries.
We also assist different International or local organizations which
contribute to media development
Our long term goal is to create a media network in the Central Asia. After
the collapse of the USSR, media in Kyrghyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan and
Turkmenistan lost old links. For example, in Osh newspapers there is no
coverage of news from Khojand, or news from neighbouring Andijon oblast.
During our media conference in Andijon in October,1999, one of the Kyghyz
journalists said to his Uzbek colleagues: I know more about events happening
in Switzerland or Europe, but have no idea of what's going on in Andijon,
which is only 50 KM from Osh.
The focus, as you noticed is made on the Ferghana Valley media network
developing. This news exchange could be a powerful thing while covering
important events, like Batken crisis.
This media network could play a key role in strengthening ties and links
between ordinary people as well.
We have been very successful in establishing contacts with Tajik, Uzbek
media development non-governmental organizations. Having these thoughts in
mind, Osh Media Resource Center is actively involved in the activities of
the Central Asian Media Support Project.
I will let you know of official web-site of the CAMSP when it is
constructed.
Sincerely,
Alisher Khamidov.
-----Исходное сообщение-----
От: Heather Clark <afp@astel.kz>
Кому: alisher@elcat1.osh.su <alisher@elcat1.osh.su>
Дата: 13 декабря 1999 г. 11:46
Тема: Re: Media monitoring
>>
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