ON THE WAY OF DEMOCRATIC REFORMS

Thomas Kunze, Regional Representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Central Asia:

For 25 years Uzbekistan has been confidently pursuing the policy of democratic reforms, effectively addressing the task of building a strong civil society, paying special attention to the reformation of the information sector and development of electronic media.

Today’s forum is a striking example of that, and we actively assisted in its organization. We invited the renowned media experts Rene Falkner, Andrey Zybkin and others to hold workshops for young TV journalists during the week, and present their reports.

In Positive Mood

Inguna Sudraba, a member of Sejm of Latvia:

The accelerated development of electronic media in Uzbekistan has been meeting the population’s needs in prompt and accurate information. It deserves to be commended. Meanwhile, your country is very careful about the preservation and multiplication of national traditions and values. The importance of the institution of a family, a manifestation of love and care for parents and elders, care for children and the younger generation, which is inherent to the Uzbek people, enhance the educational role of the media. These aspects are highly relevant in the age of globalization, and this experience deserves be studied.

It is important that local media do not tend to win the audience at any cost, but apply the kindness, creativity, and noble feelings on the screens as the main ‘weapon’. I would like to wish that your country preserved such a positive attitude in the future.

The progress is obvious

Ludovic Petho, a filmmaker and documentarian (Australia):

This is my third visit to Uzbekistan to conduct master classes for young journalists. In 2015, I dedicated my workshop in Tashkent to new approaches in the production of media products on environmental issues. Then I led trainings on innovations in the production of social ads. During the current Media Days in Samarkand, we focused on the journalistic genre and documentaries.

I can say that the country is working hard to advance the practical knowledge of TV journalists, improve the style and quality of presenting information. The creative and technical staff is dominated by young people with their interesting and creative ideas. The main thing, they are free and open to innovations. NAEMM not just enhances the skills of its employees by inviting foreign coaches, but also maintains scaled international activities, including assistance in the production of new TV shows or documentaries. I have a dream of producing a documentary about your wonderful country!

Susceptibility to the new

Dainius Radzevicius, OSCE Expert on Freedom of the Media, Chairman of the Lithuanian Union of Journalists:

I’ve visited Uzbekistan several times to participate in various international forums and training workshops. I deeply studied the current legislative framework in the field of media and draft legal acts in this area, expressing my view on them.

I think that the work on the establishment of nongovernmental electronic media and their financial support deserves appreciation. In this context, I would like to mention the ‘Concept of enhancing democratic reforms and building the civil society in the country’, which has played a considerable role in the media development, including nongovernmental.

When participating in workshops and other events in your country, where young TV journalists advanced their skills, I noticed how susceptible they are to everything new, ready to critically analyze their own work and improve them, and increase their professional level.

Continuous Improvement

Birgit Wetzel, an independent journalist (Germany):

As we agreed at the workshop, the good media are important for the development of the country and its democracy. Trainings for young journalists during Media Days are highly important because they help to grow professionally, learn new technologies and continuously improve their performance.

My stay in the media camp was a great experience for me. I was surrounded by many interesting young people. We had the opportunity to not just work intensively, but get to know each other not as journalists but as ordinary people. I met my colleagues from different countries, which is a fairly rare opportunity.

This is not my first visit to Uzbekistan, so I was impressed by the progress in training of your journalists.

Focus on children’s TV programs

Barbara Franklin, a UNICEF consultant:

During the workshop on the development of nongovernmental electronic media as an important instrument of social dialogue, and in other events foreign representatives learned about the achievements of the media market of the country, about the conditions to enhance the professional skills and develop young journalistic staff, and new legislative instruments in this field. I would like to draw attention the development of children’s television in the country. There are many good programs on regional TV studios, which is very important. This issue needs much attention in the future too.

The way they reach the bars

Sophie Pons, deputy editor-in-chief, Agence France-Presse (AFP):

The participants showed great interest and were fully involved in the classes. I was able to not just answer questions of young journalists, but also enrich my knowledge, which has helped me better understand your country. During the training, we were able to review and analyze many domestic websites.

We worked on the articles, columns, creation of websites. During my stay in Uzbekistan, I have managed to exchange experience with my foreign colleagues, experts and trainers from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, USA, Russia.

I was thrilled by the format of the media camp. It was great to meet everybody in real, not virtually, create real working groups of young journalists and foreign professionals. Such a close cooperation will create useful connections between people in the future.

I was impressed by the samples of the latest equipment at the TV channels I visited. It was nice to see the high professional level of their staff.

Jahon Information Agency