OSCE media freedom representative praises Kyrgyzstan’s media freedom progress, urges authorities to ensure safety of journalists

OSH, Kyrgyzstan, 19 May 2011 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic, praised Kyrgyzstan’s President Roza Otunbayeva for her efforts to advance media reforms and urged the authorities to do their utmost to ensure the safety of journalists, at the end of a three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan today.

“There is no doubt that the media freedom situation has significantly improved since my visit in July 2010,” Mijatovic said after meeting with Otunbayeva Wednesday. “The serious steps made by the Kyrgyz authorities and personal involvement of President Otunbayeva to establish public service broadcasting and decriminalize defamation have to be applauded. These reforms, if accomplished, would be a milestone in fostering media freedom.”

“But this newly achieved media freedom is fragile and needs to be preserved and further strengthened. By adhering to their codes of conduct media professionals can do their part. Since the safety of journalists remains a concern, the authorities need to swiftly investigate attacks on journalists and make the results of the investigations public,” she added.

In meetings with members of the Parliamentary Committee on Media she discussed the pending law on the public service television and stated: “The fate of the newly created Public Service Broadcaster is at a critical stage. I support further reforms and adoption of a law that will safeguard its future.”  

“Kyrgyzstan needs a strong public service broadcaster to ensure objective reporting on developments in the country. I offer my Office’s assistance to improve the current draft and call on the parliamentarians not to adopt it before the presidential elections in October,” Mijatovic said. 

“The proposed law in its current form has many positive points but it does not take into account the upcoming digital switch-over, and some basic guarantees for the independence of the broadcaster, such as the financial independence of the broadcaster, are missing.” Mijatovic also voiced concern about the provision to dismiss the current advisory board.

Today the Representative visited Osh and held meetings with local authorities and journalists to discuss the media freedom situation in southern Kyrgyzstan. She stressed the importance of accurate and impartial reporting in a sensitive post-conflict situation and reminded media professionals that they should observe their professional codes of conduct. At the same time she urged the authorities to ensure the safety of the journalists: “The authorities have to support the media, so they can conduct their activities professionally. There is no professional and independent media without a safe working environment.”

During her visit the Representative also met with Vice Prime Minister Shamil Atakhanov, representatives of the Osh City Mayor’s Office, the Osh Provincial Governor’s Office, the Osh Provincial and City Police Departments, the Osh City Prosecutor’s Office, and the Representative of the Ombudsman’s Office for Osh Province and City as well as journalists and media NGOs.