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Home Newsroom News and press releases OSCE Centre in Bishkek holds workshops for journalists, NGOs in southern Kyrgyzstan
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OSCE Centre in Bishkek holds workshops for journalists, NGOs in southern Kyrgyzstan

4 October 2010
Participants at a workshop for journalists on responsible reporting on political and inter-ethnic issues, Osh, 4 October 2010. (OSCE) Photo details

OSH, Kyrgyzstan, 4 October 2010 - Workshops organized by the OSCE Office in Bishkek on international standards and the principles of balance and ethics in journalism, with a special focus on coverage of the post inter-ethnic conflict period and the forthcoming elections, started in Osh today.

The workshops on responsible reporting on political and inter-ethnic issues in southern Kyrgyzstan will be held for three days in Osh and two days in Jalal-Abad, with 25 persons attending each event. The Jalal-Abad workshop starts on 7 October.

Both events aim to strengthen accurate, unbiased and balanced reporting by both local journalists and human rights defenders on the situation in Osh and Jalal-Abad. Participants will learn about international journalism standards and best practices in covering post-conflict and election situations.

"Drawing on wider international experience, these seminars are designed to guide journalists in southern Kyrgyzstan on observing ethical standards in their reporting. Reporters play a central role in shaping public perceptions. It is in their power to inform the public responsibly," said Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

The training sessions are being delivered by three media experts, including one from Denmark and two local experts with extensive experience in working as journalists for international media outlets, including the BBC local service and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Kyrgyz service, Azattyk. The trainers are drawn from both the ethnic Kyrgyz and ethnic Uzbek communities, and will use three languages - Kyrgyz, Uzbek and Russian - to lead the interactive sessions. Handouts on ethical standards in journalism and covering inter-ethnic relations with sensitivity will be provided by the trainers.

The seminars are organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek as part of a larger media. The Osh seminar is being held in premises provided by the Presidential Administration.