Akylai Samidinova (right), correspondent for Naiman TV at work before the crisis (2009). Photo: Oibek Khamidov/IMS

IMS concludes collection of production equipment to Kyrgyz journalists from  Danish media professionals which was initiated following the 10 June eruption of violence in the city of Osh in South-Eastern Kyrgyzstan

In a bid to support Kyrgyz journalists, IMS has over the summer coordinated a collection amongst Danish media of production equipment in close cooperation with the Kyrgyz Public Association of Journalists (PAJ).

In light of the outburst of violence in the city of Osh in South-eastern Kyrgyzstan in June, Simon Kruse, Moscow correspondent for the Danish daily Berlingske Tidende suggested a collection of media equipment from Danish journalists to their Kyrgyz colleagues.

The call for equipment was circulated through networks to Danish journalists. The Danish School of Journalism offered support in the form of 30 IMacs that were to be replaced with newer equipment at the school in Århus and two freelance journalists offered flat screens, sound equipment and more.

Careful research and an assessment of the Kyrgyz media in Osh, IMS and PAJ showed however that the offers of  Macs from the School of Journalism did not match the needs on the ground, nor was it cost-effective. IMS has therefore had to turn down the computers from the School of Journalism.

Pleased with show of support

Being a new-comer to the field of calls for support of this kind, Thomas Hughes, Deputy Director of IMS says IMS is pleased with the positive response from the Danish media community.

- Even though we were not able to accept the generous offer from the School of Journalism, we were glad to be given the opportunity. The fact that the school came to us with the offer proves the value of IMS engaging Danish media in our work. This shows that there is a general interest in supporting media in other countries, says Thomas Hughes.

He stresses, that although the challenge of matching local needs with items offered for free will continue to exist, IMS would like to hear from the Danish media sector on an ongoing basis to keep track of potential opportunities.

Situation in Osh remains very tense

Since Osh erupted in violence on 10 June, IMS and PAJ have provided humanitarian support to journalists in Osh and surroundings and initiated a small project to support local production of news to counter the information vacuum that followed in the wake of the crisis.

At the same time, IMS’ media support programme is being reorganised to adapt to the situation on the ground and new activities are under preparation. But according to IMS programme officer in Kyrgyzstan, Oibek Khamidov, who is a journalist himself, it is very difficult to produce news locally under the present circumstances.

In Osh, he explains, the two independent TV stations have changed status since the riots. One had its license revoked recently and the other, Osh TV, which was formerly Uzbek, has been taken over by the local government. Many independent journalists have relocated to the capitol Bishkek or to neighbouring countries, but most of the journalists, however, have left the professional journalism field, explains Oibek Khamidov.