Media Support Program

Program Goal: 

The goal is development of information community with freedom of speech, freedom of expression and free access to information that are necessary for building open society in Kyrgyzstan.

Program Objectives:

-          support to development of public television as a tool and guarantee for free flow of information and ideas that are in free access for Kyrgyzstan’s population;

-          civil society participation in monitoring of government performance via journalists trainings in journalist investigation in human rights protection field;

-          promote standards and values of Journalists’ Professional Ethics via development of Media Self-Regulating Institution that will increase social responsibility of all participants in information relations and will increase citizens’ trust to mass media. 

Program Partners:  

While implementing its projects, the Program closely cooperates with main international and local organizations working in the media development field in Kyrgyzstan: Internews, Eurasia Foundation in Central Asia, OSCE, UNISEF, Media Representative Institute, Public House on Media Affairs, Information Law Center, Regional Broadcasters Association and other; this cooperation helps in efficient dissemination of joint efforts in media development in Kyrgyzstan.  

Development of Public Television in Kyrgyzstan 

Achievements:

The Program supported discussions process of law drafts and law amendments that regulate media in Kyrgyzstan. The Program has actively participated in rendering support and maintenance to forum for discussion of Law ‘About National TV and Radio Broadcasting Corporation’ among all stakeholders; the Program also participated in raising awareness about principles of public television.  

Plans:

The Program plans to continue rendering support to transformation of ‘Kyrgyz Television and Radio’ company into public television company with taking into account principles of such broadcasting, namely:

-          an independence from state, financial institutions and production businesses, and political groups;  

-          a public management via Advisory Board consisting of  professional representatives from state and civil society;

-          an unbiased informing about events taking into account interests of all society groups;

-          nationwide broadcasting.  

Media Self-Regulating Institution

Achievements:

The Program started to work in this field in 2007. Thanks to the Program and other organizations efforts a Forum was created for media representatives to discuss the issues regarding which the journalists community comes up with a conclusion that it is important to adopt Journalists Professional Ethics Code and create a Media Self-Regulating Institution taking into account current media development conditions at present in the country.  

Plans:

The Program plans to support adoption of Journalists Professional Ethics Code in accordance with principles of freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of printed press as well as social responsibility  for published articles. The Program plans to continue working upon creation of Media Self-Regulating Body in accordance with contemporary international standards; the body will support increasing public trust to media, it will also be able to resolve conflicts between public and media representatives.  

Reforming State Printed Media

Achievements:

After adoption of Decree of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic ‘About Reforming Several  State Media Companies’, the Program organized several forum discussions for discussion of State Media Changing Ownership issues.   

Plans:

The Program will work with editors of state media and discuss possible options for state media changing ownership and the ways how the Soros Foundation - Kyrgyzstan can support this process.  

Journalists’ Trainings in Journalist Investigation Methods

Achievements:While developing this component, the Program focuses on conducting trainings on Applied Skills for Journalists Investigations for regional independent journalists and staff of newspapers, TV and radio broadcasting companies.  

Plans:Taking into account the effectiveness of Journalists Investigations trainings, the Program will focus on conducting further trainings on similar issues. The Program will invite local professionals and international experts as trainers. The main goal of trainings is decreasing journalists risks when working in this field and active use and dissemination of Journalists Investigation genre among country journalists for wider information dissemination about breaking law cases in human rights protection and about corruption as well as for monitoring of state agencies activities. 

Program Staff:

Marina Sivasheva 

Program Director, E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Almira Dooronbekova

Program Administrator,  E-mail:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it