OSCE Centre supports forum on Internet development in Central Asia
ALMATY, 29 April 2010 - A two-day forum on development of the Internet in the Central Asian region co-organized by the OSCE Centre started in Almaty today.
The event brings together more than 100 participants, including media experts and journalists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and representatives from the Kazakhstani government, international organizations and diplomatic missions.
The participants will discuss challenges to developing the Internet as one of the few unrestricted sources of information in the region, and exchange views about potential threats to the free flow of online information.
"The Internet has become one of the most important sources of pluralistic information, as well as an increasingly significant means of communication," said Jeannette Kloetzer, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana. "However, the rapid development of the Internet might result in over-regulation and the censorship of online content, which could create a serious challenge for newly emerging Internet media outlets. That is why the OSCE, in particular its Representative on Freedom of the Media, monitors the media situation, including the Internet, in the OSCE region and urges governments to comply with international standards and OSCE commitments on freedom of expression and the free flow of information."
Aigul Solovyeva, Member of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, added: "The free flow of and access to information are an integral part of universal human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy. In this regard, with the co-operation of civil society, political forces and the media, the Internet can facilitate the expression of different views and increase society's participation in the democratic process."
The participants will also discuss the Internet and freedom of expression; government regulation of the Internet; business aspects of the Internet; the content of local electronic media; and web resources in national languages.
Forum participants will produce recommendations for government institutions and other interested parties on furthering the development of the Internet.
The event was co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana, the MediaNet International Centre of Journalism, the public foundation "Media Alliance of Kazakhstan" and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.