Bishkek hosted the event "Media Talkuu: Dialogue in a Changing World," organized by the Media Action Platform of Kyrgyzstan (MAPK) with support from the OSCE Programme Office. Forum participants — journalists, editors, experts and representatives of government agencies and civil society — examined key aspects of the development of the country's media landscape.
Key challenges for Kyrgyzstan's media sector
The discussion touched on the economic stability of media, ensuring freedom of speech and the safety of journalists. Particular attention was paid to the impact of new technologies, in particular artificial intelligence, on the ways information is consumed.
Changes in regulation and content
MP Dastan Bekeshev of the Jogorku Kenesh (parliament) spoke of the need to revisit approaches to regulating the media sphere. He emphasized that modern media include not only traditional newsrooms but also content created by bloggers and podcasters. As a result, there is a need to revisit the requirements for registering media outlets and to define the concept of "journalist."
Support for media as an investment
Cholpon Nogoybaeva, co-founder of MAPK, emphasized the importance of media in the country's public and economic life. In her view, state support for media should be seen as a long-term investment in the development of society
Date and venue
The event was also attended by representatives of international organizations, including the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. Welcoming remarks were also delivered by Johannes Baur, Minister-Counsellor and Head of the Partnership Relations Section at the EU Delegation to Kyrgyzstan, and Christopher Blair, Head of the Human Dimension Department at the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (via video link).
