Paper short abstract:

This paper is based on official statistics, interviews with media experts, and content analysis of Kyrgyz-language news sites. This paper explores the country's mediascape, discusses the problems in Kyrgyz-language online media, and advances some recommendations for addressing these issues.

Paper long abstract:

This paper focuses on the Kyrgyz language online media in Kyrgyz Republic. The Kyrgyz language mass media is considered to be biased, immature and non-professional, therefore limiting the opportunity to receive high-quality news material in native language. Although some media outlets strive to produce high-standard journalistic materials, their content is not visible enough and is dominated by tabloid style press. This presentation studies the structural factors explaining the challenges of the Kyrgyz-language press, mostly related to educational background and financial status of journalists. Kyrgyz language mass media could be improved by working with two groups of people: working journalists and journalism faculties, which need to be equipped with up-to-date knowledge, skills and labs. In order to communicate with wider academic scholarship, the paper is based on official statistics, content analysis of Kyrgyz news sites, interviews with media experts both local and international.

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