OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports workshop for Kyrgyz journalists on covering the referendum

BISHKEK, 22 June 2010 - A workshop for journalists on covering the scheduled 27 June constitutional referendum was held today with the support of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

The half-day event for 20 journalists and editors as well as university journalism faculties from Kyrgyzstan's regions was organized jointly by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) with the support of the Kyrgyz Central Election Commission (CEC).

Kyrgyz experts on media and elections led sessions on how to effectively cover voting-related issues during and after the referendum. A handbook for journalists on referendum coverage was presented at the workshop. It covers topics such as the basics of the electoral system, stages of the voting, the role of the media in the referendum process and the rights and responsibilities of journalists. The OSCE Centre and IFES co-published the handbook, which is available in Kyrgyz and Russian, and will be distributed to media representatives throughout the country.

"The referendum will be held at a challenging time for Kyrgyzstan. The process of restoring law and order and stability in the southern regions still continues. In this situation, the objectivity and impartiality of journalists in covering referendum-related issues are of particular importance," said Oleg Semenenko, a Senior Human Dimension Officer from the OSCE Centre, at the workshop.

Jarkyn Bapanova, a member of the Kyrgyz Central Election Commission, called on journalists to be factual and accurate in their coverage.

The handbook will available on the OSCE Centre's website: www.osce.org/node/43476.