OSCE Centre-supported course on environmental journalism concludes in Bishkek

BISHKEK, 1 July 2009 - An OSCE-supported course on environmental journalism for 19 young journalists concluded today. 

The series of training sessions, held over five months, increased participants' awareness on climate change and other environmental matters.

Media and environmental experts led sessions on relevant media legislation, international journalism standards, professional ethics, the environment and ecological disaster reporting. Other topics covered during the course, organized by the Institute for Public Policy, included ecological security, bio-diversity, balanced reporting, interview techniques and online reporting.

"The OSCE Centre in Bishkek prioritizes work to tackle environmental problems in Kyrgyzstan. This course was important because the participants will help to highlight environmental topics and raise awareness about such themes. It also helped to build effective co-operation among all stakeholders - the government, media and civil society - on addressing the environmental issues," said Lilian Darii, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, at a ceremony marking the end of the course.

Muratbek Imanaliev, the president of the Institute for Public Policy (IPP), added: "This project was of crucial importance, as environmental problems worsen world-wide and cause concern to people international organizations and governments, including Kyrgyzstan. Raising awareness among citizens and bringing together environmental specialists and journalists in Kyrgyzstan to provide quality coverage of important environmental issues was our aim. We hope that this course has made a contribution to attracting people's attention to environmental problems."

Some of the course participants produced several articles on topics such as garbage and waste management, air and water quality. The works are available at www.bpc.kg. Three of the journalists were selected for an internship with IPP's Bishkek Press Club during the summer.

The training series was part of the OSCE Centre's work to encourage environmental journalism in Kyrgyzstan. Similar environmental journalism training courses will be held in the provinces.