DUSHANBE, May 25. “Asia Plus” -- Tendencies of media development and challenges journalists are facing today in Central Asia region are being discussed today at the XII Central Asian Media Conference in Dushanbe. The event was organized by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and OSCE Bureau in Tajikistan. 

The priority was given to access to information and modern technologies, including internet. The participants will also discuss such themes as: international standards of freedom of information, development and regulation of the internet and access to information in Central Asia.

“There is no need to identify informational security and informational censorship,” Head of the OSCE Bureau in Tajikistan Ivar Viki spoke at the conference. “Both access to information and free share of ideas are important for everyone in terms of making choice, for development of democracy which ensures stability in society.”

According to him, thanks to OSCE support many independent press editions of Tajikistan have not only survived at the media market but also increased their circulations. “OSCE allocated 150.000 Euro to support the media,” OSCE Envoy has said.

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic is confident that freedom of the media is fundamental for the development of civil society and in this context major role is given to digital broadcasting. “Digital broadcasting helps to diversify the media. However, lack of frequencies often becomes a serious problem – some governments use this gap to limit access to information.”

Dunja Mijatovic noted that media sources regularly change their structure, form and other characteristics and authorities should not hamper their development or take them under control.

The event brought together international and regional experts, representatives of civil society and scientists from Central Asia region and Afghanistan. Organizers believe that the conference will give an opportunity to coordinate efforts on implementation of obligations on freedom of the media undertaken by 56 OSCE member states, including five Central Asian countries.