OSCE provides expert support in media digitalization in Turkmenistan
The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized a two-day online presentation of expert recommendations for the digital transformation of print media in Turkmenistan, which started 2 June 2020.
The presentation was facilitated by international experts from the Russian Federation who developed a comprehensive set of recommendations for the digitalization of print media. The event brought together representatives from national media and institutions involved in the process of media digitalization.
Discussion topics included digital economy of the media, audience and digital content, newspaper websites in the digital environment as well as the transformation of editorial offices and the challenges for managers and journalists.
Natalya Drozd, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, referred to the 14th Central Asia Media Conference “From traditional to online media: best practices and perspectives”, held in Ashgabat in 2012, which welcomed the fact that online media allows for more diversity and pluralism.
“Indeed, while the internet offers broad opportunities for the media, the new technological environment places a great responsibility on media managers and journalists as well as on governments, which should contribute to ensuring media pluralism,” Drozd said.
“The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat initiated the development of recommendations to provide expert support to the government of Turkmenistan in the process of the digital transformation of print media and we stand ready to continue our partnership in the area of media reform,” added Drozd.
The event offered the participants an opportunity to get insights into multimedia formats and digital instruments and to discuss optimal models of the digital subscription, monetization and funding of newspaper websites. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the development of online media was also discussed.