OSCE holds workshops to improve Tajikistan’s police communication with the public and media

From 9 to 24 August 2018, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe conducted three workshops aimed at enhancing communication between police and the general public and media. The workshops were held in Romit, Guliston and Nurek districts of Tajikistan.

40 mid- to senior-level officials from Tajikistan’s interior ministry and 30 journalists attended the workshops, which focused on different aspects of police community relations including how to organize the work of press-centres and communication with the mass media. Participants were familiarized with the role of social media in the context of community policing and with effective ways of conducting informative and transparent press-conferences by law enforcement agencies.

The participants also reviewed national and international legal frameworks related to mass media activities and gained further understanding about the importance of interaction between law enforcement agencies and the mass media.

Aleksandr Shikhanov, a trainer from the Russian Federation, said: “The workshop participants are highly motivated professionals who are interested in the mass media practices used in OSCE countries. They expressed their willingness to learn modern methods and techniques to interact with mass media and the public, in full compliance with international standards and approaches.” 

“Learning about worldwide practices and studying international standards will now help the participants to improve their professional skills,” said Shahlo Akobirova, a trainer from Tajikistan. “They will apply the obtained knowledge in their day-to-day activities and share their experience with colleagues in the respective agencies.”