Safety of Journalists in Central Asia: Challenges and Responses 

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

10:00AM - 11:00AM (EST)

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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, Representative on Freedom of the Media at the ODIHR/OSCE

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.