Mourning the dead in Kyrgyzstan. Photo: Suzanne Moll/IMS

Attemps to close down media were amongst the experiences awaiting IMS’ Suzanne Moll, as she arrived in Bishkek only six days after thousands of angry protesters had taken to the streets. Read her eyewitness account here

By Suzanne Moll, IMS

Arriving only 6 days after the "revolution of April 7th" the streets of Bishkek looks desolate and grey. And who can blame people for staying in doors? 85 people were shot down in front of the Parliament and more than 1000 were wounded and hospitalised. The turnover of  power to an interim government had been very quick, but also more violent than last time.

But the conditions this time are somehow different. After only a few days it is clear that the interim government has a very short leash. The people of Kyrgyzstan held great expectations for former President Bakiyev’s promises, but were disappointed in the levels of nepotism and too many “inside” favours.

Media under attack

Especially the media have suffered during the past years. Harrassment comes in many forms: the theft of a computer, perplexing lawsuits and worst of all - the murder of journalists doing their job.

The provisional government has indicated during its first few days in power, that it will accept press freedom and people are not prepared to tolerate anything else.

There is a systematic stream of information between organisations and media persons in support of media. When we arrived at the office of the Media Policy Institute for a meeting, the Institute staff apologise and said that we immediately had to leave for 24.kg. The government’s security police was at the website’s office, and were instructing them to close their operation due to the fact that they were considered to be loyal to former President Bakiyev. The feeling of frustration and anger was obvious.

Accompanying us to the offices of www.24.kg  is Aydil Basayev. He had been living in Sweden during the Bakiyev years and now works as a close advisor for the interim government. Basayev has been preaching press freedom and human rights from exile in Sweden.

After an hour of debate, discussion and phone calls,  www.24.kg was not closed and tempers were calmed.

An air of optimism

This incident and many others that the mission team to Kyrgyzstan led by IMS experienced show that the situation in the country for the media is very tense. But the www.24.kg website is still open and there are signs that the interim government is serious about easing up on the pressure placed on journalists.

So after two weeks in Kyrgyzstan, spring and warmth came to the country. And with the green leaves comes optimism. Read more about the IMS media assessment mission to Kyrgyzstan  here.