HCNM-sponsored meeting in Kazakhstan to discuss subtitling of news programmes for minorities
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In communities that are characterised by ethnic pluralism, such as Kazakhstan, the role of the media is especially important. Through programming that reflects the diverse linguistic and ethnic character of society, television and radio can offer a wide and balanced and high quality range of informational, educational, cultural and entertainment programming to meet the needs and rights of the whole population, including persons belonging to national minorities. Further, broadcasting in the languages of the ethnic communities resident within a country can promote loyalty to the state by enabling all citizens to enjoy the services provided by the national media. At the same time, wide access to the media can ensure that all ethnic communities have the opportunity to receive domestically produced information and news and, thereby, prevent a situation developing in which some ethnic groups have no alternative to external media sources.
Subtitling is considered an innovative way of providing minority-language broadcasting. It would help Kazakhstan inform all ethnic communities resident in the country about the latest political and socio-economic developments and to give them a sense of belonging to the country they live in. This type of broadcasting is also expected to foster greater integration of Kazakhstan's national minorities into the mainstream society and to promote the knowledge of the Kazakh language amongst them.