It is when citizens are well-informed, equipped with facts, and capable of conducting independent analysis that they can better engage in the policymaking process. Access to information at every level is the backbone of an active citizenry that can come together to keep government honest, responsible, and accountable. In Kyrgyzstan, however, most journalists lack the analytical skills to report well on crucial economic issues, and citizens lack the necessary understanding of core social and economic realities (and values) that are needed to keep a democracy in place 365 days a year. This lack of information not only undermines the population’s ability to support basic market-based democratic reform, but detracts from their ability to engage in the development of their country – of their village, of the region, of the nation at large. It is with this in mind that CIPE partner the Development Policy Institute (DPI) began their work several years ago to improve mass media’s capacity to inform the public on economic concepts during Kyrgyzstan’s fragile period of transition to market-based democracy with protected property rights and rule of law.
In late May, CIPE’s most recent project with DPI to strengthen the free press in Kyrgyzstan came to a close. In three short years, DPI’s work has taken hold, fostering a more engaged public that is positioned to advocate for better democratic governance and market reforms. DPI reaches out to both practicing journalists and journalism students in rural areas to strengthen analysis on key economic issues through economic training programs. DPI’s aim is to improve and expand access to quality information on market economy basics to Kyrgyz citizens. To this end, DPI has educated journalists on the tenets of reform-oriented policy and improve information to the general public on the benefits of economic freedom and democracy through practical field study tours, informational seminars, conferences, as well as a training program for students to provide them with the rudimentary skills necessary to enter the economic journalism profession in Kyrgyzstan.
DPI’s study tours offered practicing journalists a first-hand look at key areas that are important to the Kyrgyz economy, providing them with materials and experience to cover in local media outlets. The study tours were particularly important because many journalists, especially in the regions outside of Bishkek, have never traveled outside of their village or town. The study tours allowed journalists to develop a wider perspective and a wider range contacts for interviews, photo opportunities, and material for articles. DPI conducted three study tours for 64 practicing economic journalists to the Talas, Jalal-Abad, Osh and Issyk-Kul regions through the spring and summer of 2013. DPI also conducted 16 press sessions for a total of 223 practicing economic journalists. The press sessions focused on pressing issues related to Kyrgyzstan’s economic and democratic transition, including the national budget, municipal budgets, tax reform, auditing, the investment climate, new government initiatives, corruption, and, of current top priority, Kyrgyzstan’s impending aim to join the Eurasian Economic Union by the end of the year.
Following Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev’s May announcement that he expects Kyrgyzstan to join the Eurasian Union and the Moscow and Bishkek agreement to create a fund to support the integration of Kyrgyzstan into the Union, Kyrgyzstan’s business community has a lot at stake. Still, Kyrgyz citizens, due to their limited access to information, have played a very small role in deciding the fate of their country. DPI, slowly but surely, has addressed this fundamental issue.As a result of the press sessions, journalists have published a total of 216 articles in Kyrgyz media outlets on issues of immediate importance to the development of the country over the last 17 months alone.
Looking forward to the next generation, to promote the education and sustainable future for a free press in Kyrgyzstan, DPI has organized university lectures for journalism students to strengthen their skills and knowledge of economic reporting. DPI’s university classes continue to provide students with first-hand knowledge from experts and practitioners; students learn how to analyze data, explain economic terms, and present a variety of opinions on a given topic. DPI staff provides feedback that challenges the students to think analytically and present their ideas in a way that the general public will understand. These are important skills for journalists, and, when employed, will greatly enhance the caliber of reporting in Kyrgyzstan. DPI organized nine lectures for 52 journalism and communications students. Sixteen students were awarded certificates, producing 28 articles.
Given the successes of DPI and the direct link of its work to tangible change show the importance of information sharing, and, with Kyrgyzstan’s impending ascension to the Eurasian Union, its continued immediate importance. Still, the field of economic journalism is only emerging in Kyrgyzstan and media coverage of economic topics remains weak. Major Kyrgyz media outlets published project participants’ articles, reaching a wide audience throughout the country. Not only can the success of DPI’s work be seen in the stark increase in the number of articles on economic issues over a short three year period – from 13 percent in 2010 to 35 percent in 2013 – but in the ripple effect that comes from an informed citizenry, touching lives across the country and pulling them together to effect change. The increased media coverage not only reached the public at large but also impacted policymaking in the Kyrgyz Parliament. DPI’s press session on proposed reforms to the Bishkek municipal budget-making process and the subsequent media attention led the Ministry of Finance to raise concerns with the Parliament on how the proposed law would substantially increase the Bishkek mayor’s powers and make the budget-making process less transparent. The Parliament has considered the Ministry’s recommendations and is currently revising the draft law.
CIPE’s partnership with DPI has been a success story on multiple levels. DPI’s work to empower everyday folks in Kyrgyzstan has created a ripple effect of untapped potential in all the citizens, in the business community and beyond, working for change. DPI, now funded by other western donors, will continue to do its work in response to continued public demand for high quality media reporting on business issues, most pressingly on the impending challenges of joining the Eurasian Economic Union that are set to hit at the end of the year.
For more information, DPI’s website, www.economicjournalist.com provides information on economic freedom, democracy and importance of well-developed and well-functioning financial markets. Available in Russian and Kyrgyz, the website serves as a resource hub for journalists and the wider public on economic issues in Kyrgyzstan.
Rachel Grossman is an Assistant Program Officer for Eurasia at CIPE.
