Journalists face pressure in the OSCE area region, to varying degrees; and Central Asia is no exception. This may include harassment or physical threats against individual journalists, while conducting investigations or making them public. It also includes legislative and administrative restrictions leading to censorship, arrest and imprisonment, or to journalists fleeing to continue their work in exile. Journalists have also been threatened by local administrations or business circles when their reports challenge certain financial interests. Female journalists face specific threats, including sexual harassment and discrimination.
This seminar will focus on the various dimensions of the challenges faced by journalists, specifically by Central Asia today, as well as how to respond to them.
Introductory Remarks
Ms. Teresa Ribeiro, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
SPEAKERS
Navbahor Imamova, Anchor, Editor and Producer Uzbek Service, South and Central Asia Division, Voice of America President, VOA Women’s Caucus
Paloma Madrigal leads the SOFJO- Safety of Female Journalist Online- project at the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Dilya Yusupova has been working as a journalist in Kyrgyzstan for over 15 years, in both state and independent media. She currently works in the online editorial office of Kaktus.media
Humayro Bakhtiyor, Independent Journalist from Tajikistan
Moderator: Sebastien Peyrouse. Research Professor, Central Asia Program, IERES, George Washington University and a Senior Fellow with the George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China relations. His main areas of expertise are political systems in Central Asia, economic and social issues, Islam and religious minorities, and Central Asia’s geopolitical positioning toward China, India and South Asia.