OSCE Centre in Bishkek launches information campaign in southern Kyrgyzstan

OSH, 27 September 2010 - An information campaign launched today with support from the OSCE Centre in Bishkek aims to provide the population of the southern Osh and Jalal-Abad provinces with relevant information.

As part of the information campaign, launched by the Public Union Journalists, about 25 local journalists will produce a weekly newsletter containing information on topics such as housing, schooling, public safety and welfare issues. The newsletter, to be published in the Kyrgyz, Uzbek and Russian languages, will be free. It will be distributed to households in the provinces as well as at bazaars and at public transportation stops.

"This community-focused initiative forms part of the OSCE Centre's overall efforts to support the government's communications with the public, thereby reinforcing stability and restoring trust among the population in the post-crisis period," said Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere, Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

Muzaffar Tursunov, the journalist who will lead the project, added:

"After the Osh events, the media landscape was virtually destroyed: several TV companies stopped working, and many journalists left the south for other areas for security and personal reasons. As a result, rumours flourished, alarming the population. In this project, we aim to provide the people with up-to-date, factually verified information on a multitude of issues: humanitarian aid, housing construction, schooling, official visits and preparations for the winter. The project will thus contribute to the stabilization of the situation and the well-being of citizens in the south."

The three-month initiative is part of an OSCE Centre in Bishkek project to address the information and communication vacuum in the south.