OSCE Centre trains Kyrgyz journalists in environmental reporting

KARAKOL, Kyrgyzstan, 18 September 2009 - A two-day OSCE Centre-supported training course to help journalists improve their coverage of environmental topics began in Karakol in northeastern Kyrgyzstan today.

The training course on aspects of sustainable development and environmental security brings together 15 journalists from local print media, television and radio. It is organized by the Karakol Media Resource Centre Dom Jurnalista and taught by an expert from the environmental group BIOM.

"It is of utmost importance that not only state structures, but also ordinary citizens, people living in environmentally problematic areas, take part in decision-making on environmental issues. However, for that they should be properly, timely and fully informed," said Lilian Darii, Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

"This training course aims to support journalists to report on environmental challenges and their implications so that their readers understand what is at stake."

Nurgul Sharshembieva, the head of the Karakol Media Resource Centre, added: "Environmental security is one of the strategic areas of state politics. In this view, this course enables local journalists to be more conscious of their role and improve their coverage of problems related to environmental trends, which in turn should promote a responsible attitude by all stakeholders."

Similar training courses will take place in the Naryn Media Resource Centre on 22 and 23 September and in the Talas Centre on 25 and 26 September.

The training course is part of an OSCE Centre programme that aims to build the capacity of regional media, particularly by improving local reporters' skills in economic, environmental and investigative journalism.