New research provides overview of Kyrgyz media sector
New research on the Kyrgyz media sector shows that traditional media is only slowly beginning to take advantage of the Internet
“Mass media outlets in Kyrgyzstan are in a transition period”, said Marat Tokoey, the head of Public Association of Journalists to the paper Вечерний Бишкек (Bishkek Evening Post), as the findings of new research on the Kyrgyz media sector were revealed in October. The research was carried out by the Public Association of Journalists with support from IMS.
According to Marat Tokoey, print press is still the more popular source of news as opposed to online news media in the country.
“There are more and more interesting online editions appearing. Also traditional media started paying attention to the advantages of the Internet. However, the press, especially the Kyrgyz-language press, has only taken small, timid steps so far. This is mostly due to their poor financial situation. Only one third of them are partially or wholly dependent on subsidies of the owners or other sponsors”, said Marat Tokoev.
Journalist salaries lower than average country salaries
The research shows that the average monthly salary of a Kyrgyz journalist is about 7,500 soms (equivalent to 155 USD).
“Radio journalists receive the highest salaries in comparison to others. The general salary of journalists is low in Kyrgyzstan. Even considering that the actual salary might be higher than that indicated by journalists when answering questionnaires, it would still be equal to or possibly lower than the average monthly salary in the country, which in 2012 made up 10,500 soms and this year 13,500 soms”, Marat Tokoev noted.
Lack of editorial policies
The research, which is based on questionnaires filled out by various journalists and media outlets, also showed that many editions do not have explicitly defined editorial policies.
“Many of them are guided by oral instructions and rules of the chief editor or the owner of the outlet”, explained Marat Tokoev.
Findings of the research also show that there is no due protection of labour rights of journalists in Kyrgyzstan.
“Only one third of traditional media and popular online news services have trade unions and most of these outlets are state-owned which inherited trade unions from the Soviet time. However, trade unions have lost their original roles vis-à-vis the media outlets. Most of the media outlets are mainly controlled and guided by their directors or owners”, said Marat Tokoev.
There are 206 traditional media outlets (newspapers, TV channels, and radio stations) and 22 popular online news services in Kyrgyzstan. There are approximately 1,875 media staff and freelance journalists in Kyrgyzstan. One of the outcomes of the research will be the preparation of a catalogue of mass media outlets in Kyrgyzstan.
The research of the Public Association of Journalists was funded by International Media Support. For more information about the findings, please write to mja@mediasupport.org
This article is replicated courtesy of the Bishkek Evening Post.
