OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports better communication between government and journalists

BISHKEK, 8 April 2011 – Around 50 representatives of the Kyrgyz government’s press service and the media met today in Bishkek to discuss how to improve their communication.

The event was organized by the government’s press service with the support of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek with the aim of improving the government’s dialogue with the media.

Ambassador Andrew Tesoriere, Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, said: “The OSCE supports the authorities in opening up to the media and the public. Such exchanges are important to build relationships and trust between government officials and media representatives and to find ways of working together better not only in times of crisis but also in more stable times.”

The head of the government press service, Kadyr Toktogulov, said: “Such meetings between the media and the government press service can lead to more transparent and accountable governance and therefore improve our public accountability.”

This event is part of the OSCE Centre’s efforts to improve the flow of communication in the country, and is a follow-up to the training for government spokespersons organized by the OSCE Centre last September. The next step in this process will be a meeting for representatives of the government’s press service and international organizations to identify further needs.