Political extremism, terrorism, and media in Central Asia: The examples of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

An important element in democratisation of any country is an active, engaged press that can uncover and analyse issues that have been sensitive or silenced.

Repressing information and silencing discussion on politically sensitive issues could have a diametric opposing effect and lead instead to growing misconceptions and illusions based on anecdotal rumours rather than on facts. This in turn may foster die-hard myths that take root in a community and even discolour political discourse.

For instance in Central Asia, the spread of extremism is one of a number of topics, subject to considerable attention and concern by the public. Regional media, having little access to hard facts on this issue, resorts to primarily building its coverage more on distortions, rumours and sketchy evidence.

The predominant public notion in Central Asia as well as globally is that extremism is widespread. This has prompted authorities to take precautionary measures such as banning groups assumed to be dangerous and preventing critical voices from airing their views publicly.

How do media behave in this atmosphere of global fear? How do media cover the issue of extremism and terror on a local, national as well as global scale?

Few studies have dealt with this important issue to date. This is why International Media Support has supported this study hoping to shed more light on the role of media in covering terrorism and extremism.

Based on research of media content in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, the report observes how media in Central Asia actually cover terror and extremism. The Central Asian findings have served as a basis for formulating recommendation to all parties involved in media policy and practice, both in the region and beyond.