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June 17, 2025 – Krygyzstan/Mongolia-
Between June 8 and 13, 2025, students and young journalists from Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and several other Central Asian nations gathered at Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, for the OSCE-DCAF Summer School, a regional initiative focused on the safety of journalists and media freedom. The event was jointly organized by the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.
The program brought together 22 participants from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The primary goal was to equip young media professionals with knowledge and practical skills on security sector governance, human security, and particularly the safety of journalists operating in fragile or conflict-affected environments. This year’s edition placed a special emphasis on the rising threats of disinformation and the specific risks faced by female journalists.
Jan Braathu, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, addressed participants, emphasizing the growing dangers of disinformation and the urgent need for journalists to be equipped with tools to counter propaganda, manipulation, and online threats. He also underscored the importance of ensuring safety for female journalists, who often face additional gender-based threats.
The week-long course involved interactive workshops, group discussions, and simulated crisis scenarios designed to strengthen participants’ critical thinking, conflict navigation, and practical decision-making skills. Trainers highlighted how misinformation, online harassment, and political pressures increasingly endanger media professionals worldwide, with Central Asia facing unique challenges due to its diverse political and security landscape.
A significant development in this year’s summer school was the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the OSCE Academy in Bishkek and DCAF. This agreement allows Master’s students from the Academy to intern at DCAF’s headquarters in Geneva, providing them with further international exposure and experience.
The OSCE-DCAF Summer School continues to play an essential role in preparing young journalists for the complex realities of reporting in challenging regions. By fostering regional cooperation, providing practical safety training, and strengthening media resilience, the program contributes to protecting press freedom across Central Asia.
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