INTERNEWS CENTRAL ASIA MEDIA PROGRAM USAID Cooperative Agreement Award No. 72011518-CA-00001
QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT JANUARY 1, 2019 – MARCH 31, 2019
Dmitri Surnin Dylan Gray Regional Director, Europe & Eurasia Director of Grants and Contracts Olimpieciu 1, Office 36 PO Box 4448 Vilnius, Lithuania Arcata, CA 95518 tel. +370 (677) 42 408 tel. +1 (707) 826-2030 [email protected] [email protected]
1 Table of Contents Executive Summary ...... 3 Highlights/Impact ...... 3 Background/Context ...... 4 Project Activities ...... 9 Objective 1: Improve media capacity to provide balanced, informed and unbiased reporting on key policy and public interest issues ...... 9 1.1. Increase supply of fact-based, balanced information through local content ...... 9 1.2. Strengthen professional development of media practitioners across traditional and “new” media platforms ...... 12 1.3. Strengthen management and financial viability skills of independent media ...... 13 Objective 2: Increase media and information literacy among youth and adults to become critical consumers and producers of information ...... 14 2.1. Strengthen media literacy skills to improve citizens’ ability to evaluate information critically and competently ...... 14 2.2. Increase citizens’ ability to engage with and produce news and information ...... 17 Objective 3: Improved legal enabling environment for media ...... 18 3.1. Support efforts to improve legal and regulatory environment for media ...... 18 3.2. Support independent broadcasters to advocate for and ensure their equities in the digital switchover process ...... 20 3.3. Access to public information is increased for all media and journalists ...... 20 Challenges/Lessons Learned ...... 20 Collaboration with Host Country Governments and Other Donor-Funded Projects (USG and International) ...... 21 List of Attachments ...... 22 Annex 3. Press Clippings ...... 23 Annex 4. Public Communication Materials ...... 24 Annex 5. Gender Reporting ...... 33 Annex 6. Media Critics Boot Camp Agenda ...... 35
2 Executive Summary
The Central Asia Media Program (MediaCAMP) aims to improve content quality and audience engagement, strengthen media outlet financial sustainability, increase media literacy, and strengthen the enabling environment in Central Asia. The overarching program goal is to develop a more balanced information environment in Central Asia to increase openness among youth and adults for differing ideas, opinions and perspectives and in turn increase their engagement in civic participation. The program will run from October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2023.
MediaCAMP’s activities are implemented toward three objectives:
• Objective One: Improve media capacity to provide balanced, informed and unbiased reporting on key policy and public interest issues; • Objective Two: Increase media and information literacy among youth and adults to become critical consumers and producers of information; • Objective Three: Improved legal enabling environment for media.
Highlights/Impact
Regional
• To launch its media literacy component, Internews hired a team of producers and selected a cohort of media critics (see next bullet) in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Additionally, Internews relaunched Newreporter.org with new design, more robust content featuring two brand new sections: on media critique and on media literacy. The sections were populated with nearly 23 stories in less than two months; these Russian-language stories generated over 175 thousand views. • To create national pools of experts who can analyze media, publish critiques of media that hook the public, and spark change within the media community, Internews trained 15 highly- experienced journalists and editors from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as media observers/critics in the first ever Media Critics Boot Camp in Almaty. This annual training event laid the groundwork for MediaCAMP’s future work in advancing media critique in the region.
Kazakhstan • To increase balanced and relevant content in Kazakhstan, Internews shortlisted 16 production projects, which focus on most pressing issues of public concern. At least three of these project target audiences under 25 and at least half of projects proposed bilingual content in both Russian and Kazakh. • To ensure community interest and buy-in in the planned Inclusive Lab, Internews circulated an online questionnaire among representatives of 51 organizations and individual experts to collect their ideas for topics. The respondents placed the environment as the most pressing. • Internews selected three key Media Training Partners in Kazakhstan to administer its rigorous journalism and part of its management-training programs. The partners will conduct video production training, training on multimedia storytelling and middle media management academy. The training programs will combine face-to-face and distance learning. 3 • Internews selected 7 finalists to receive grant support for media and digital literacy projects. Most are past participants of media literacy activities under USG-funded Access to Information Program. Grants will support production of educational materials and multimedia tools for university students and school children. • To launch its activities in improving the legislative environment in Kazakhstan, Internews selected its Media Law Partner. The Legal Media Center brings past advocacy experience to the project and will primarily focus on monitoring and analyzing existing legal norms and practices in the country.
Tajikistan • On March 5, 2019, Internews introduced the MediaCAMP Program in Sughd oblast (Khujand) located in the north of the country and shared with local organizations key activities, goals and objectives of the program. • On February 5 and on March 5, 2019, Internews held focus group discussions with 22 representatives of media outlets and NGO community in Dushanbe and of Khujand to get their input into the topic for Inclusive Content Lab in Tajikistan. • Internews submitted an official notification to the Supreme Court through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of its intent to hold a study tour, requesting that the Supreme Court nominates judges to participate in the study tour. The letter is currently under review by the MFA’s Department of Information, Press, Analysis and External Relations, and the response is pending. • Independent panelists selected eight applications as semi-finalists for content production grants. Finalists will be selected in April. • On March 18, Internews reviewed three applications under Activity 1.2.1. Thematic and skills- based training for media practitioners. CSO Khoma was selected as the lead partner to organize both TV production and multimedia storytelling schools.
Uzbekistan
• During this quarter, Internews reached out to officials in Uzbekistan with a proposal to hold high-level meetings about the organization’s registration in the country. Internews also updated its registration package for the second submission scheduled for April. Furthermore, Internews reached out to one existing and one potential partner in Uzbekistan, who shared analysis and insight into the media legal environment and overall situation in Uzbekistan.
Background/Context
Kazakhstan
• The most important development during the quarter was the unexpected resignation announcement by President Nursultan Nazarbayev. After three decades in power, he stated that his country now needed "a new generation of leaders." In a televised address to the nation on March 19, Nazarbayev, 78, the last Soviet-era leader still in charge, said he would retain key security council and party leader positions while handing over the presidency for the rest of his term, which ends in April 2020, to a loyal ally, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, speaker of the upper house of parliament. 65-year-old Tokayev is a Moscow-educated career diplomat fluent in Kazakh, Russian, English and Chinese who has previously served as 4 Kazakhstan’s foreign minister and prime minister. Although this announcement came as a shock to most, many experts do not expect any major policy shifts. Kazakhstan is scheduled to hold both presidential and parliamentary elections next year. • Earlier, on February 21, 2019, President Nazarbayev dissolved the government due to its failure to raise living standards and diversify the economy away from the energy sector. As a result of the government reshuffle, the previous Ministry of Information and Communication was merged into an expanded Ministry of Information and Social Development, bringing control over issues related to information and civil society development in Kazakhstan under one umbrella. The new Ministry is headed by a conservative former minister of information, which suggests that the previous restrictive policy in the field of information is likely to be maintained. • On March 29, 2019, the Ministry of Information and Social Development released draft Concept of the Law On Amendments and Addition to Some Legal Acts on Information Issues for public discussion. This Law intends to introduce amendments to laws On Media, On Advertising, On TV and Radio Broadcasting, On Access to Information, and other. However, the extremely short timeline for comments (two weeks) suggests that comments and suggestions about these initiatives will not be seriously considered. The freedom of expression CSO Adil Soz already issued a statement criticizing the draft and the ministry’s speedy process and lack of inclusivity. Internews is currently analyzing the proposed amendments. • In February 2019, the Ministry of Information and Communication developed a draft regulation imposing additional requirements for the accreditation of journalists who wish to attend press conferences organized by state bodies. The move is seen as a further step to restrict media freedom and access to information in Kazakhstan, and drew criticism of the media community in Kazakhstan, forcing the ministry to deny the restrictive character of the move. Internews issued an analysis prepared by the Regional Media Legal Advisor assessing the draft’s specific provisions and criticizing the move. Internews’ and the media community’s advocacy efforts resulted in the ministry’s new announcement to revise the draft regulation to make it more media-friendly. • During a round table in the Parliament of Kazakhstan in February, Vice Minister of Information and Communication stated that the ministry is “working with the media community to reduce the volume of negative reporting.” The statement followed a public outcry after five children from a single low-income family were killed in a house fire on February 4 in Astana. The tragedy caused a strong public reaction that resulted in small yet well-covered protests and have certainly increased public resentment of economic policies that fail to address poverty in the country. The statement from the Parliamentary committee was ill-received by media and journalists who posted a storm of angry comments on Facebook and Telegram. It was seen as a further move to suppress freedom of the press in Kazakhstan. • On March 29, 2019, a number of prominent human rights and freedom of expression CSOs, and journalist organizations, including Adil Soz, Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law, Union of Journalists of Kazakhstan, Legal Media Center, and others issued an appeal to the new President of Kazakhstan, Prosecutor General, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Minister of Information and Social Development. The appeal calls on the government to take concrete steps to protect professional activities of journalists, as well as to thoroughly investigate abuse cases and bring perpetrators to justice. • Facebook, YouTube and Instagram continue to be periodically blocked in Kazakhstan. These platforms usually become inaccessible during daily late-evening live streams by a prominent 5 Kazakh dissident, the head of the banned DVK (Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan) political movement Mukhtar Ablyazov. The Government has repeatedly denied any interference. • On March 22, 2019, Svetlana Glushkova, a correspondent for Current Time, the Russian- language network led by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) in cooperation with Voice of America, was detained while covering a protest in Astana. Protesters were speaking out against government's decision to rename the city after former President Nazarbayev, who unexpectedly resigned earlier in the week. At the same rally, Glushkova’s cameraman was attacked by young people who appeared to be pro-government provocateurs. The cameraman sustained a leg injury that required hospitalization and a cast, while Glushkova herself was accused by one of the young people of physical violence, which was then used as an excuse by the police to detain Glushkova. The incident exposed a new technique – the use of paid provocateurs, the so-called “titushky” (thugs) - to harass journalists. RFE/RL Acting President condemned these actions, while the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Reporters Without Borders, and the Committee to Protect Journalists expressed concern over the arbitrary detention of Svetlana Glushkova. Glushkova was released on the same day and subsequently sentenced to a fine of 25,250 KZT (around USD 70). • Kazakhstani authorities have indicated that in 2019 they intend to fully decriminalize insult, and partially libel and defamation, as part of their commitment under the Istanbul Anti- Corruption Action Plan. This intent indicates a significant positive shift in the legal environment for media. Internews is the only CSO in Kazakhstan that has consistently advocates for the decriminalization of insult, as well as libel and defamation, over the past several years. At the same time, the proposed amendments fall short of being fully progressive as the pressure on journalists and media outlets is typically exerted through libel and defamation charges. The partial decriminalization implies that sentencing under these charges will now fall under the category of misdemeanor (vs. criminal charges) but can still be used to suppress freedom of expression. Internews will continue advocating for full decriminalization of libel and defamation.
Tajikistan
• In January and February 2019, Tajik ministries and agencies held conferences to share their activities conducted in the last 6 months of 2018. These semi-annual press conferences are amongst very few opportunities for independent media to meet face to face with government representatives, as all official information is released through the State News Agency Khovar exclusively. However, this year attending journalists expressed frustration that the press conference has become a one-way interaction, during which government officials did not address questions from attending journalists. Tajik independent media continues to experience significant challenges in obtaining official government information. • On February 15, 2019, Sharofiddin Gadoev, one of the opposition leaders in exile, who currently resides in Netherlands, returned to Tajikistan. According to a statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mr. Gadoev returned voluntarily. His supporters and other opposition leaders in exile shared another version of the story. They claimed that Mr. Gadoev was kidnapped during a trip to Moscow and sent to Dushanbe against his will. Later, the claims of the opposition leaders in exile were verified by Mr. Gadoev who was released amidst international pressure. In a video, Mr. Gadoev stated that the Tajik Special Forces kidnapped him during a trip to Moscow, Russia, where he was supposed to meet with a Russian government official. However, instead of the meeting “he was abducted, 6 tortured, and forced to appear in propaganda videos before being released.” Mr. Gadoev is a leader of the banned Group 24, whose late leader Umarali Kuvvatov was assassinated in Istanbul in March 2015. Last year, Mr. Gadoev announced that a new movement called Reforms and Development in Tajikistan was established in the Netherlands and chaired by him. • The Government of Tajikistan continues to make unpopular decisions in the telecommunications sphere. On March 4, 2019, without much of an explanation or forewarning, the Antimonopoly Agency issued an order requiring mobile phone operators to double the prices for Internet and international calls. The chief tax officer noted that increase for Internet tariffs would contribute to security in Tajikistan. This caused a wide protest from people as the higher rates will significantly affect families’ budgets. Earlier, the Ministry of Justice called this move illegal, since it was not registered at the Ministry, as required by local legislations. While some of the mobile operators informed their subscribers about the possible increase in prices, others held back after the statement from the Ministry of Justice. Despite the Ministry of Justice objections, the Antimonopoly Agency continued putting pressure on mobile phone operators to proceed with the price hike and requiring full enforcement of the order by March 27, 2019. However, at the end of March, this requirement was still not fully implemented. • Access to key websites – search engines, social networks, media sites, etc – utilized by many Tajiks remains unpredictable. Users often find that parts or all of the site is blocked either for short or extended amount of time. Most major independent outlets in Tajikistan have reported such unexplained block of their websites. Asia Plus, Internews’ key partner in the country, seems to be specifically targeted. It is the only media outlet in the country whose website has suffered from such blocks consistently since July 2018. Because of this interrupted access, Asia Plus lost audience members, which fell from 70,000 unique daily visitors to 20,000. The block, which began almost a year ago, coincides with the killing of four foreign cyclists in Southern Tajikistan, an attack that Asia Plus covered closely. To circumvent the blockage and to continue to offer content to its audiences, Asia Plus currently utilizes Teletype, a Telegram platform, to host its content. From there, Asia Plus links its content to its channels on other social networks, such as Facebook and Odnoklassniki. While the source of these blocks remains disputed, it appears that government structures are responsible for such a consistent and effective campaign. Telegram remains to be the only platform that has yet to be blocked in Tajikistan, however, many impacted sites in the country assume that this is only a matter of time and are working on other alternatives. • The US-funded media outlet RFE/RL’s Tajik branch (Radio Ozodi) fell under scrutiny after Eurasianet.org issued a claim following an investigation that Radio Ozodi had failed to stay true to its mission “to provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.” According to the investigation, the editorial office of Radio Ozodi is “overly accommodating to the strongman president, unintentionally enabling him to gloss over his abuses.” Erasianet.org conducted interviews with former and current employees of Ozodi and top officials, who claimed that the editorial team avoided materials and information critical of the government of Tajikistan, thus undermining the core values of the organization. The officials from U.S. Agency for Global Media, RFE/RL’s parent company, confirmed to Eurasianet.org that it asked the State Department’s Office of the Inspector General “to aid in investigating Tajik Service programming and management.” Two top editors resigned in early April.
7 Uzbekistan
• On February 1, Uzbekistan Press and Information Agency was transformed into Information and Mass Communications Agency. It is now directly overseen by the Presidential Administration. The Agency Director Mr. Kamil Allamzhonov, was appointed First Deputy Advisor to the Head of State signaling that media and information industry have been given an elevated policy status. The Agency was removed from the jurisdiction of the Chamber of Ministries and is now in charge of development and implementation of state informational policy. Its media regulatory powers are widening. The agency’s responsibilities include countering fake news and disinformation. • A Unified national journalist identification card is currently in development and will be introduced in Uzbekistan by June 1, 2019. It will allow holders to visit state and other organizations for business purposes and to gain access to public information. The move is seen as discriminatory to independent media experts. If approved, every journalist in the country will have to obtain such a card. The status of bloggers and freelancers is still vague, and it is unclear whether they will be eligible to receive such identifications. The newly formed Information and Communication Agency will issue the cards. • The Media Ombudsman Institute responsible for protecting rights and interests of media will be created in Uzbekistan. It will however report to the Information and Mass Communications Agency under the President contradicting the very mission of such a body. The Media Ombudsman will monitor law enforcement by media and work with individuals and legal entities on appeals. • The Information and Mass Communications Agency announced that it will develop a professional Ethics Code of Journalist in Uzbekistan. The agency said journalist will be punished for violating such a code. It is not yet known what kind of punishment the agency is envisioning for the breach of the code. It also unclear how the code will fit into the legislative system since the document was supposed to be a self-regulating tool for media outlets without any interference from the government. • A Unified registration system of mobile devices using international, unique identification codes (IMEI) will be officially launched in Uzbekistan on April 1. Any person will have the opportunity to check whether his or her phone is counterfeit before purchase through and whether the IMEI is in the “black list” of stolen devices. The registration has been introduced in most countries in the region under the pretext of better safety and security. However, independent media sceptics voiced concerns over the risks it may pose to online communication freedom. • The Committee on legal and judicial issues and countering corruption will be created at the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Mazhilis of Uzbekistan. This is the government’s response to the country’s extremely low ranking on Transparency International’s Anti-Corruption Index. The authorities have repeatedly stressed the importance of fighting corruption, however Uzbekistan’s scores haven’t improved thus far.
8 Project Activities
Objective 1: Improve media capacity to provide balanced, informed and unbiased reporting on key policy and public interest issues
During this reporting quarter, Internews selected partners and sub-grantees to help to implement activities under Objective 1. Almost half of the activities will be implemented by local organizations which will assist MediaCAMP in building the capacity of regional media outlets and strengthening the media sector. Topical and high-quality production content produced by sub- grantees will engage audiences across the whole public spectrum prompting civic participation. Program efforts were also dedicated to updating training methodologies and thematic areas of focus under the component.
1.1. Increase supply of fact-based, balanced information through local content
1.1.1. Grants and technical support for quality content production
Kazakhstan In this quarter, Internews down-selected 16 semi-finalists during the local content production grants contest. These were selected from 268 applicants who submitted short one-page proposals in response to a wide call.
Internews designed the selection to be done in several phases to allow finalists to incorporate feedback from judges during the intermediary down-select phase and strengthen their final proposals and thus, product. To conduct this first review, Internews convened a panel of journalists including two high-caliber production and media content experts Irina Savel’yeva and Asiya Akisheva who reviewed and assessed applications based on the following criteria: - Originality/creativity - Use of multimedia formats and tools - Audience engagement strategy - Production and budget feasibility
Based on the review of the initial proposals, 35 applicants were selected to pitch their ideas in front of the jury. In preparation for this exercise, the applicants participated in a short training webinar (23W, 12M) and a similar webinar in Kazakh which reached 17 people (7W, 10M); the same content was made available through a Q&A article on the newreporter.org (917 views).
On March 11-12, the 35 selected applicants pitched their ideas either face-to-face or virtually to the jury. Following another deliberation, the jury selected 16 production projects for the next final round of the contest due in early April. The 16 applicants will submit full proposals, accompanied by budgets and timelines.
These 16 applicants represent a balance in terms of language of the proposed content (Kazakh/Russian), the range of topics, which focus on governance and socially vulnerable groups such as women, children and LGBTI people, and their proposals to engage audiences online. At least three of the shortlisted projects will target young people under 25.
9 While not all applicants are able to move on to the next phase, those who did participate in the pitching exercise received valuable feedback and input from the Internews panel of experts. This feedback can aid them in developing future applications for this grant competition.
Tajikistan
In Tajikistan, Internews received a total of 31 short applications, from which a jury of Internews staff, including the MediaCAMP Regional Expert on Strategic Communication, selected 8 finalists for the pitching expertise.
These semi-finalists pitched in front of a jury which included Internews in-house journalism advisers and external experts from BBC WS, Media Council, Asia Plus, and UK Embassy in Tajikistan. Five projects were selected to proceed and submit full proposals, accompanied by budgets and timelines
The projects moving into the next phase of the competition aim to produce a variety of TV and multimedia content on issues experienced by vulnerable groups such as children, women, ethnic minorities, and remote communities from hard-to-access high-altitude Pamir and Northern Tajikistan areas.
1.1.2. Inclusive Content Labs
Kazakhstan In consultation with the local donor community and civil society sector partners, Internews in Kazakhstan widened its definition of inclusive content in Year 1 to include not just the most vulnerable groups such as women and children but ALL citizens who are excluded from the mainstream society, the state, don’t feel safe, secure and can’t exercise their basic human rights. The move seems especially relevant in the light of the upcoming presidential elections on June 9, 2019.
In February, Internews devised an online questionnaire to identify issues of social priority to tackle in the first year’s Lab. The 7 questions-long poll provided respondents a choice of four main subjects: (a) women participation in policy; (b) youth inclusion and participation; (c) advocating for better environment as a means to promote civic inclusion, (d) social entrepreneurship as a form of social and political activism. Through the poll, 39 (76%) out of 51 community leaders, representatives of NGOs, think tanks and media CEOs, selected environmental activism as the most pertinent form of civic inclusion in Kazakhstan. Following this input, Internews will bring together environmental activists and media practitioners to produce joint media projects on environmental issues during the first MediaCAMP Lab.
Internews posted a call for applications for local environmental NGOs to select an implementing partner to help with the event, which is tentatively scheduled for June 11-13, 2019. The Lab will be held as part of the Innovation Festival/10th International “Insights into Development” Conference and will create synergies between MediaCAMP and another USAID-funded initiative, the “Partnership for Innovations” program implemented by ARGO.
10 Tajikistan
On February 5, 2019, Internews brought together representatives of civil society organizations, media outlets, and international organizations to discuss and agree on a theme for Tajikistan’s first Inclusive Content Lab, an activity that will help local media better understand the interests of women, youth, and vulnerable groups residing in their coverage area. Internews proposed to select one out of seven themes that could help media grow their viewership or attract Bonu Shambezoda, UN Women (second advertising revenues, greatly undermining their long- from left), and Dilyafruz Zoirova, USAID- Tajikistan (second from right) during the term success. The seven areas that were proposed by Inclusive Content Lab focus group Internews include environment, women’s rights, discussion (photo by Internews) youth’s rights, ethnic minorities, the rights of religious minorities, the rights LGBTQ, the rights of migrants, and own suggestion. The experts proposed other more specific topics: Women Living with HIV/AIDS; Children with Disabilities; The Rights of Women Living in Rural Areas; Domestic Slavery; Education for Girls; Education for Youth and Job Opportunities; The Environment; Human Trafficking; and E-Governance.
At the end of the discussion, the 11 experts (5f/6m) selected top two choices: Education for Youth and Job Opportunities and The Rights of Women Living in Rural Areas. Once Internews selects the theme of the lab in mid-April, it will issue a call in each country for a local media-training partner to run the Inclusive Content Lab.
On March 5, 2019, in Khujand (Sughd Oblast) Internews “We are glad that Internews will introduced the Central Asia Media Program implement such a big and important (MediaCAMP) to local stakeholders. More than 27 (6 F, Media Program in Central Asia 21M) individuals representing media organizations, (MediaCAMP) and appreciated program USAID, and journalists, young civil society activists presentation in Khujand also” (Khurshed attended the event. Abdumalik Kadirov, Internews` Ulmasov, Director of Tiroz media outlet) Country Director, presented the goals, objectives and activities that will be implemented by the program.
1.1.3. Recognizing outstanding journalism
The concept, principles, standards, terms and deadlines of the annual Media Masters journalism contest will be devised by an external expert commissioned by Internews and in close consultation with Internews in the next quarter. Preliminary discussions that shall lay the ground for the expert’s future contribution have started among Internews’ in-house staff.
11 1.2. Strengthen professional development of media practitioners across traditional and “new” media platforms
1.2.1. Thematic and skills-based training for media practitioners
Kazakhstan
In a two-staged selection process, Internews selected three media training partners for MediaCAMP in Kazakhstan out of 10 applicants. The finalists are: AIR Academy Kazakhstan, Select Communication Group and a freelancer Nazgul Kozhabekova’s Kazakh-speaking training team.
- AIR Academy Kazakhstan proposed to conduct a set of four one-month long online training courses on video production for YouTube and online complemented by a 2-day face-to-face masterclass-style course by Kanat Beisekeev, a well-known Kazakh documentary maker. The company is an official YouTube partner in Kazakhstan with a specialized training branch.
- Select Communication Group, a private local company specializing in digital marketing and PR, will organize and host a 2-3-day face-to-face course on multimedia storytelling (the company will also take on middle-management academies component under Activity 1.3.1).
- Nazgul Kozhabekova, one of the leading Kazakh-language multimedia specialists in the country, will produce the first ever online course in Kazakh on multimedia storytelling in close consultation and partnership with Oksana Silantieva, a leading Russian trainer on immersive multimedia in journalism. Once developed and tested, the course will then be rolled out to a group of 15 Kazakh-speaking journalists.
Internews is currently in negotiations with the finalists.
Tajikistan
On February 2, 2019, Internews issued a call for a partner to implement thematic and skills-based training. On March 18, Internews reviewed three applications submitted in response to the call. Internews selected media organization Khoma as a partner for TV production and multimedia storytelling schools based on its capacity, technical capabilities, the pool of trainers available for TV and storytelling tools. Khoma is one of the most reputable and authoritative media nongovernment organizations in Tajikistan. Khoma holds a training license from the Ministry of Education that enables it to conduct a number of educational activities including those under this project.
New Media Accelerator
During this quarter, Internews issued an open call for applications for New Media Accelerator. Internews made an effort to recruit representatives of the start-up community that tend to produce content for YouTube, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram and other popular online digital platforms consumed by people under 30. Internews received a total of 9 applications and will convene a 12 selection jury in the next quarter to select finalists based on the following criteria: relevance of the project, prospect for sustainability, target audiences, and team structure.
1.2.2. Annual Central Asia Media Festival
No activities to report this quarter – activities under this component are closely related to Activity 1.1.3.
1.3. Strengthen management and financial viability skills of independent media
1.3.1. Professional development opportunities for media managers and sales teams
During this quarter, Internews drafted the agenda and concept for the Top Media Managers Forum. The forum will recruit 24 senior managers from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and is scheduled for May 16-17, 2019 in Almaty. Internews will select the participants not through an open call but based on its in-house knowledge of the media landscape in the region and in consultation with its advisers. Startup media outlets will be included along with traditional media. A list of forum speakers is being finalized. Internews selected its implementation partner for the Middle Management Academies in Kazakhstan through a joint open call for applications under Activity 1.2.1. Select Communication Group, a private local company that specialized in digital marketing and PR, will organize and host the academies in Kazakhstan. The Tajik partner will be selected via a separate call next quarter.
1.3.2. Financial Future grants
No activities to report this quarter – activities under this component are closely related to Activity 1.3.1.
1.3.3. Nurturing partnerships and resource sharing
Internews continued to convene media industry leaders and practitioners on how it can best build networks and partnership in the sector. To that end, Internews held one such meeting in Kazakhstan (February 20, 2019, Almaty) with 7 leading CEOs and independent media business consultants that represent local media business community (IMS Central Asia, Halykbergen Communication Agency, Kaspi Bank PR Office, AIR Kazakhstan, Select Communications Groups, etc.). Candid conversations among the participants highlighted a list of recommendations in relation to media partnerships and what they would want to see in an informal network in their country. Specifically, any partnership projects shall include: (a) a simple yet meaningful set of goals and indicators to attract interest and ensure sustainability. A special M&E plan based on those key performance indicators (KPI) would benefit any such undertaking; (b) a realistic budget; (c) collaboration with non-traditional media, bloggers and influencers community; (d) monitoring media consumption and production trends especially among youth; (e) building expertise in audience engagement and analytics; (f) shared understanding that the Kazakh-language segment of media and consumers is a nowadays priority.
13 In the next quarter, Internews will continue its dialogue with media organizations in all three countries.
Objective 2: Increase media and information literacy among youth and adults to become critical consumers and producers of information
During this quarter, Internews launched its media literacy activities by awarding Media and Digital Media Literacy Grants. The work extends and builds on Internews’ media literacy activities under USG-assisted Access to Information (A2i) program and its sister organization’s - Internews Europe – media literacy project. The grant applications showed a concerning lack of knowledge and understanding of basic media literacy concepts by both educators and think tanks. Only those who had been previously trained by Internews under A2i proposed meaningful projects. Another set of activities under this objective focused on supporting citizen journalists’ networks.
2.1. Strengthen media literacy skills to improve citizens’ ability to evaluate information critically and competently
2.1.1. Develop online media literacy and analysis resource (Public Media Literacy and Central Asian Media Critique)
In February, Internews re-launched its newreporter.org website, which is being built out as a key resource of media literacy information, in Russian, Kazakh and Tajik with a new hosting service. Preparations for the re-launch of the Tajik and Uzbek versions are underway. All versions of the site now feature two new sections: Media Critique and Media Literacy. To date: - 16 articles were published under the Media Literacy section. This section contains How To guides for journalists on fact-checking, verification and more general topics such as court reporting, election coverage, safety and security for journalists, etc. (areas in which Internews in Kazakhstan has in-house expertise). - 22 articles were published under Media Critique. The section is authored by Newreporter.org’s team. The content analyses media’s recent coverage of certain topics, incidents, etc. providing specific examples of coverage that met journalistic standards and also examples of when media organizations fell short.
The Internews Regional Expert on Strategic Communications along with a small team of contributors regularly update the content in Russian, Kazakh and Tajik. A dedicated Tajik producer will be hired by April 1. After the Media Critics Bootcamp, Internews will be able to expand its content development team by contracting with newly trained media critics. Media Critics Bootcamp
Central Asia has no watchdogs to monitor professional ethics in the media, but evidence shows that these institutions can play an important role in setting the bar for and holding outlets to ethical and professional standards. On March 25 -27, 2019 Internews trained 15 independent well-known journalists from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as professional media ethics observers, also called media
14 critics, during the first Media Critics Bootcamp in Almaty. These ambassadors of ethics and professionalism in media will analyze media, publish critiques that attract public attention, and spark change within the media sector. The event kicked off MediaCAMP’s work to advance media critique in Central Asia. Media Critique is a new concept in the region – there is currently no existing practice of publicly critiquing media organizations and the content they produce against a standard. MediaCAMP will support this important feature of self-regulation by building out media analysis content on newreporter.org. The reviews will highlight outstanding stories as well as breaches of professional standards by local content producers. The bootcamp ensured that participants – who will be analyzing content – have a shared understanding of quality standards and inspired engaging ways to share findings. During the event, the trainees produced their first analysis of weekly news programs and received feedback from the trainers. Their final pieces will be published on newreporter.org in April 2019. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive with acknowledgement of the need for training in the area and highly professional level of trainers. One participant wrote: “It was the most important event from Internews.” One of the bootcamp’s leading trainers was a well-known Russian journalist and a TV critic, TV and Radio host Irina Petrovskaya. The event took place at Impact HUB, Almaty. The country, age and gender breakdown of the trainees was as follows: 6 women, 9 men, 1 person aged under 29; 9 people from Kazakhstan, 3 – from Tajikistan and 3 – from Uzbekistan. A list of participants is in Annex 7.
2.1.2. Support broad-based media literacy education
a) Media Literacy Curriculum.
The Media Literacy Manual produced by an international team of authors under USG-supported Access to Information (A2i) program has been translated into local languages (Kazakh and Tajik). The editing of the final versions in all languages in under way. The final product will cover most critical topics on media and digital literacy: implications of advertising, critical thinking, information wars and propaganda, ethical principles of journalism, transparency of media organizations, and others. A special module on “Gender stereotypes in media” will feature real- life examples demonstrating the do’s and don’ts in regard to stereotyping, tackle preconceived views, deal with hate speech in a balanced and impartial way.
The manual’s structured overview of media and digital literacy concepts and education informed the design of the 2-day training of trainers of American Corners volunteers in Kazakhstan and a similar event in Tajikistan (March 2018). Both were organized and funded by A2i with the overall consultative lead from the MediaCAMP Regional Media Literacy Adviser. Similarly, the manual’s main chapters were rolled out at an earlier A2i training seminar for trainers held in Almaty in November 2018. Note that trainers trained at the November ToT conducted the March ToTs in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Now, the volunteers trained at March ToTs are arranging follow up trainings to be conducted in their hometowns across two countries.
15 b) Regional Media Literacy “eduthon.”
During the reporting period, Internews assisted its sister organization Internews Europe, implementer of the EU-funded “Contributing to stability and peace in Central Asia through media literacy, improved reporting and regional cooperation” project, with the implementation of a 3- day media literacy eduthon in Astana, Kazakhstan held on January 24-26, 2019.
In particular, the MediaCAMP Regional Media Literacy Advisor was closely involved in the eduthon design, assisted with the identification and selection of the trainers and participants, and served as one of the five trainers during the event mentoring teams which bid for eduthon grants. Her main presentation was called “Remix as a Media Literacy Tool” which is featured in the Media Literacy Manual. Notably, eight trainers from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan trained at the November ToT in Almaty designed original projects and took part in the eduthon grants competition. Two of them, Ms. Tatyana Golubtsova and Ms. Meiramkhan Zhapek, jointly won a grant. Their joint project proposes developing a methodical manual in the format of a transformational game named “MediaJungle” in Kazakh and Russian languages, which can be used for seminars, trainings, thematic lessons on media and information literacy. Grantees plan to pilot the game in 3 cities of Kazakhstan (Astana, Almaty and Karaganda).
c) Media Literacy Grants and Support.
Following USAID’s approval, an open call for grant applicants was released on February 11, 2019 in Kazakhstan with further roll out in Tajikistan. The grants will support media NGOs, associations, librarians, qualified trainers, and outlets to run media literacy training and develop media literacy tools for their communities. Any local media, educational or non-commercial organization was eligible to apply. The selection criteria included: a) understanding of the thematic area; b) format of the proposed activity; c) demonstration of the outputs’ and outcomes’ link to the project objectives and their measurability. The projects that did compete for but did not receive Media Literacy Eduthon grants were also eligible to apply.
Kazakhstan
A total of 44 applications, including 7 in Kazakh and 37 in Russian, were received in Kazakhstan. Internews down selected 13 applications based on the completeness of each application, and then an independent grant jury convened on March 19 to select 7 winners. Most submissions came from participants of the November ToT: Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakh State University of International Relations and World Languages, Eurasian National University, Suleimen Demirel University, North Kazakhstan State University of Shakarim, Kostanay State University of Akhmet Baitursynov.
All of the aforementioned universities have provisionally expressed an intent to introduce a media literacy course into the 2019/2020 academic year. The grants will support the creation of learning and teaching materials, and educational/training events (Media Literacy Festival at Kostanai University, Media Week at Suleiman Demirel University, etc). A project that stands out is MediaNet’s multimedia media literacy manual for schoolchildren, a target audience that hasn’t been yet addressed by MediaCAMP.
16 Tajikistan
In Tajikistan, an independent selection committee selected 5 applicants to receive support for a range of media literacy activities. These projects proposed the following: - Building a mobile application Ruboh which targets youth aged 15-19; - Launching the first ever Media Literacy Center in Dushanbe; - Executing an online social media campaign; - Building a distance-learning course on media literacy; and - Holding a summer TechCamp for youth.
The jury also concluded that a large number of remaining applications lacked basic understanding of media literacy concepts and could not demonstrate an impact related to MediaCAMP objective 2.
d) Regional Media Literacy Conference.
No activities to report this quarter. Preliminary agenda and the speakers list are being developed. The event is tentatively scheduled for late June 2019.
2.1.3. Assess levels of media literacy, consumption, and trust
Internews issued an open call for applications (March 12, 2019) to survey media consumption habits and media/digital literacy in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. The call resulted in 17 letters of intent (pre-application) from two countries and these organizational were then sent the detailed terms of reference.
The final selection will take place in mid-April 2019.
2.2. Increase citizens’ ability to engage with and produce news and information
2.2.1. Foster development of citizen reporting networks
Internews issued a call to support six media outlets in developing a network of regional freelance correspondents (citizen journalists or “stringers”) in early February. Internews received a total of 18 applications from Kazakhstan-based media outlets that expressed an interest in bidding for a grant. 17 of them are Russian-language outlets and 1 multi-lingual. On March 18, the expert jury (5 external experts including the head of one of the leading information agencies) in Kazakhstan selected 6 companies to enter the next round of competition. The applying organizations will submit their provisional budgets by April 1. In Tajikistan, the call produced a small number of applications (only 4) and will be extended for additional push among potential media outlets.
17 2.2.2. Build additional avenues for citizen engagement with local media
In preparation for the launch of activities, Internews developed a draft manual to streamline business processes related to the implementation of this component. More information will be provided in the next quarter.
Objective 3: Improved legal enabling environment for media
Under Objective 3, Internews selected Media Law partners through open tenders both in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. The partners will play a key role in implementing activities related to improving regulatory environment for media in the target countries. Media legislation in these countries do not follow international standards, and state interference and over-regulation is overwhelming. The partners will help Internews bring changes to the media regulatory environment through innovative approaches: monitoring and analysis of legislation, comparative analysis of local legislation against international standards, and capacity building of media lawyers. Additionally, Internews is in the process of forming groups of judicial system officials and journalists in two countries to participate in an educational tour to Western Europe and the Baltics. This exchange will allow the participants to learn about the judicial system of these countries and get exposure to the issues, case studies, and complexities they must consider when making decisions.
3.1. Support efforts to improve legal and regulatory environment for media
Activity 3.1.1. Support and improve legal monitoring, analysis, and advocacy
Internews selected partner organizations in both Kazakhstan and Tajikistan to monitor and analyze legislation and implementation of existing media laws in both countries, conduct comprehensive analysis of national Legal Media Center (Activity 3.1.1) is a legislations against international standards on freedom of non-governmental organization, which expression, draft recommendations for improvement of specializes in media relations, advocacy laws and regulations, and implement Media Law and capacity building of media since 2005. The organization led by a prominent workshops. Kazakhstani human rights activist, Diana Okremova, has an extensive experience in Kazakhstan organizing training courses for journalists, students and lawyers in the On February 11, 2019, Internews held a grant selection media sector. It also provides legal committee meeting to review an application received from consultations to journalists, defends them Legal Media Center, a Kazakhstani based media at courts and organizes study tours. The organization. The committee consisted of five people, who organization actively promotes international standards for protection represented international organizations: UNESCO, freedom of expression and human rights in UNHCR, INCL, Freedom House, and the OSCE. general. Additionally, the Media Center Representatives of USAID and Internews participated in facilitates effective cooperation between the meeting as observers. the non-governmental organizations, media and the local government through Internews received only one application – from Legal different dialogue platform as well as Media Center - in response to an open tender, which public hearings. 18 generated many discussions at the committee meeting. Members of the selection committee concluded that such a low response rate is not ideal but reflects reality; there are very few players who meet the requirements of the tender and could serve as a partner to Internews on this component. The committee proceeded in its review of the application. Due to short lifetime of the proposed project (6 months) the members of the committee recommended to narrow down the activities and focus on one or two more realistic activities, specifically the monitoring and analysis of the legislation and workshop for media lawyers. The committee recommended to remove strategic litigation from the list of activities this year. The application was revised and resubmitted by the Media Center based on the comments provided by the committee. Tajikistan Internews convened two meetings of the grants selection Independent Center for Human Rights committee to identify the partner for Activity 3.1.1 on Protection (Activity 3.1.1) is a public organization established and registered at February 11 and February 15, 2019. The committee of five the Ministry of Justice of Tajikistan in people representing USAID, INCL, US Embassy, Open 2010. The organization is comprised of Society Institute and IWPR reviewed four applications legal experts and a group of licensed from CSO Khoma, Association of People’s Assessors, lawyers specialized in promoting human CSO Independent Center for Human Rights Protection, rights in Tajikistan. The organization led by a prominent human rights activist, CSO Justice and Legal Relations. Shoira Davlatova, is actively involved in During the first meeting, the committee narrowed down its combating torture and impunity, provision of legal support to media and defending selection to two applications, one from Khoma and journalists at courts, promotion of access another from the Independent Center for Human Rights to public information and carrying out Protection. The Center for Human Rights Protection was strategic litigations. The organization is selected at the second meeting, leading with 451 points also working on a range of other issues, (out of 500) against Khoma’s 433 points. The selection such as filing claims to the UN Human Rights Committee from Tajikistan and committee recommended that the Center adjusts the protecting individuals experiencing forced application based on their recommendations related to eviction due to expropriation of land plots proposed activities and budget and resubmits. for public and state needs.
Activity 3.1.2. Strengthen media industry associations for improved representation and self- regulation
Internews is in the process of selecting local media partners under the activity. Open tenders were announced in both countries in March 2019 with deadline in mid-April 2019. Activity 3.1.3. Build the capacity of relevant government agencies and legislatures On February 12, 2019 Internews’ internal selection committee selected the Union of Journalists of Lithuania as the partner for the implementation of a legal study tours for judges and other officials involved in judicial functions. Study tour participants will learn about the role of regional and high courts in Baltic Countries. Internews in consultation with the selected partner has decided to organize a study tour for the Tajikistan delegation to Lithuania and for the Kazakhstan delegation to Sweden. Two organizations, the Union of Journalists of Lithuania and the Club of Press Photographers of Lithuania, responded to the call. The Internews internal selection committee selected the Union of
19 Journalists of Lithuania due to its experience working with journalists and organizing similar study tours in the past. This application was also more cost effective. The destination country for Kazakhstan’s delegation was based on the request from the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan. During a meeting on February 18, 2019, the representatives of the Supreme Court requested to organize a study tour to Sweden as a delegation from the Government of Kazakhstan has already participated in study tours to the Baltic Countries and all the best practices from these countries are already being tested in Kazakhstan. A similar meeting was organized in Tajikistan, with Haidar Kadyrov, the Head of International Affairs, who welcomed Internews’ initiative. Internews sent official letters to the Supreme Courts of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan (through Ministry of Foreign Affairs) requesting nominations for study tour participants to represent the judicial system. The group of journalists will be formed through an open call. In total 4 people from the judicial system and 4 journalists will represent each country and will be accompanied by Internews staff. 3.2. Support independent broadcasters to advocate for and ensure their equities in the digital switchover process Internews is in the process of selecting local media partners to implement this activity. Announcements have been made in two targeted countries, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Internews will make selections in April. 3.3. Access to public information is increased for all media and journalists Internews will run a regional Access to Information lab in Nur-Sultan for representatives of civil society and media of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan in cooperation with the Ministry of Information and Social Development of Kazakhstan. Internews will hold the lab in Nur-Sultan due to support promised by the local government. The lab coincides with the launch of an ambitious government project to develop a single portal OpenAPI (open source), which guarantees access to public information. Internews has also secured support (assistance in organization and event space) from Zerde Infocommunication Holding JSC, a quasi-state agency responsible for the implementation of the state program “Digital Kazakhstan,” and its parent company “Astana Hub,” which operates International IT and startup hub. Internews will recruit mentors from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Russia to provide coaching and mentorship to participating teams during the lab in designing effective projects, which will be funded by MediaCAMP. The event is planned for end of May 2019.
Challenges/Lessons Learned
The project has thus far faced a number of delays due to multiple factors, including internal project management and external environment challenges, such as the shift of original calendar of events, coordination challenges posed by the team’s in-country and regional growth, as well as changes in the media and political environment of Kazakhstan. Specifically: • Political changes in Kazakhstan and the resulting shifts within the Government add a degree of uncertainly to activities conducted by MediaCAMP and its partners. However, the
20 program’s goal and objectives to engage people in civic participation, increase their media literacy levels and advocating for better media enabling environment never seemed as crucial as in the current pre-electoral period. The program will make no adjustments to its activities. Similarly, despite numerous changes in higher official ranks in Tajikistan and resulting delays in communication with the government, Internews expects no major changes to its MediaCAMP plans except for slight shifts in the program calendar. For example, the study tour for Tajik Supreme Court officials and media will be postponed until June 2019. • On the media literacy education side, Internews advisers note a very low level of knowledge of media and digital literacy among its potential sub-grantees and partners. This thematic area is relatively new to the region where media and digital literacy is perceived as a technical tool matter rather than the ability of the public to think critically. The bulk of applications for media literacy grants were rejected. Internews continues its activities under MediaCAMP, A2i and EU-funded independent project to create synergies and streamline its various media literacy efforts under one concerted goal for better and more effective reach. • Two of the open competitions among grant applicants for Activity 2.2.1 in Tajikistan (extended until April 16) and Activity 3.1.2 (extended until April 14) did not generate enough applications to proceed with the selection process. The Kazakhstani practice however showed that posting standard Q&A explanatory notes and providing more information can increase the number of potential applicants. Similar approach will be adopted by Internews in Tajikistan. As Internews expected, it is challenging to have a robust competition for a partner to implement Activity 3.1.2. Associations in the region are relatively week and there are very few of them. Internews is considering hiring a special short-term consultant to technically assist the implementation of this important activity. • When dealing with government agencies with which Internews has had no substantial history of collaboration, it is absolutely important to start the communication process well in advance. Under Activity 3.1.3., Internews’ effort to work with the Supreme Court on a list of judges to go to study tour took significantly longer than originally anticipated. The communication channels involved the Ministry of International Affairs and then the Presidential Administration before it finally reached the Supreme Court.
Collaboration with Host Country Governments and Other Donor-Funded Projects (USG and International)
Throughout MediaCAMP project implementation, Internews collaborates closely with relevant government and state agencies, as well as seek synergies with other donor-funded projects and initiatives to ensure successful project implementation, and reinforce the results and impact of its activities.
• MediaCAMP CoP took part in the grant selection committee session in Almaty on February 19, 2019 under the USAID-funded “Partnership for Innovations” project implemented by ARGO. • In February, Internews convened CSO experts representing Kazakhstani media and civil society development organizations supported by USG to discuss current social issues and needs, identify opportunities for cooperation between media and non-profit organizations. These inlucded ARGO, Medianet and Minber. ARGO shared information on its large-scale Central Asia regional research on women labor migrants.
21 • On February 25, Internews met with two representatives of the US-based NGO Meridian, which works with governments, the private sector and the diplomatic community to develop exchange and training programs. It has been awarded a three-year Central Asia Journalism Program (CAJP) funded by the US Department of State through the US Embassy in Tajikistan. CAJP includes custom reporting and study tours across the US, residencies at US universities and media outlets, and a summer institute in Central Asia for early career journalists. Participants represent media outlets from all five Central Asian countries. Internews agreed to support Meridian by suggesting experts and trainers for the summer institute in Central Asia to be held either in Almaty or Bishkek tentatively in June 2019, as well as assist with the screening of candidates to be selected for their US-based activities. • Internews played a key role in the implementation of a joint IOM/ARGO/Internews regional training for media representatives and NGOs “Raising Awareness of Migrants on Their Rights” organized within the framework of the IOM project “Asia Regional Migration Program” funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration. The event was attended by 36 journalists and NGO representatives from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan (February 27 – March 1, 2019). The training was aimed at building the capacity of public and private media representatives to highlight key issues in the field of migration, promote positive image of migrants and raise awareness of migrants on their rights, the risks associated with migration and the precautions to be taken throughout the entire migration process based on the experience of NGOs working in this field. Apart from training, Internews also assisted participants in improving their media project proposals which received IOM grant funding. Following the training, Internews published an article on newreporter.org outlining recommendations from Internews in-house journalism experts on how to report migration. • In Tajikistan, Internews partnered with the American Spaces for its introductory presentation of the MediaCAMP Program in Khujand. American Spaces provided its office to Internews free of charge. • Internews’ New Media Specialist conducted a training on media literacy basics and media tools for creating video contents for IWPR program participants, Imam-Khatibs, in Tajikistan. IWPR’s project aims to prevent extremism and strengthen the role of religious leaders in preventing extremism.
Internews registration process in Uzbekistan
During this quarter, Internews continued its efforts to register its representative office in Uzbekistan.
List of Attachments • Annex 1. Performance Indicator Tracking Table • Annex 2. Public Events Taking Place Next Quarter • Annex 3. Press Clippings • Annex 4. Public Communication Materials • Annex 5. Reporting Gender • Annex 6. Media Critics Bootcamp Agenda • Annex 7. Media Critics Bootcamp Participants
22 Annex 3. Press Clippings
Kazakhstan
1. Public announcement on Local Content Production Grants: https://the- steppe.com/news/gorod/2019-02-07/priem-zayavok-na-konkurs-idey-dlya- proizvodstva-kazahstanskogo-kontenta
Tajikistan
2. CAMP Program Presentation in Khujand: http://tiroz.org/barnomai-rasona-o-dar- osiyoi-markaz/
23
Annex 4. Public Communication Materials
Kazakhstan
# Subject Internews.kz Newreporter.org Calls & grants 3.1.1. Call for https://ru.internews.kz/2019 https://newreporter.org/2019/01/24/kon Support & applicatio /01/konkurs-uluchshenie- kurs-uluchshenie-pravovoj-sredy-dlya- improve ns: pravovoj-sredy-dlya/ media-v-kazaxstane/ legal Improved monitoring, legal https://kk.internews.kz/2019 analysis enabling /01/baj-au-aza-standa- and, environme media-a-arnal-an-y-ty- advocacy nt for ortany-zha-sartu/ media in Kazakhsta n
3.1.3. Build Internews https://ru.internews.kz/2019 https://newreporter.org/2019/01/24/inte the capacity seeks /01/internews-ishhet- rnews-ishhet-partnera-dlya- of relevant partner to partnera-dlya-organizatsii- organizacii-obrazovatelnoj-poezdki/ government organize obraz/ agencies study tour and https://kk.internews.kz/2019 legislatures /01/internews-bilim-beru- turlaryn-jymdastyru-a- seriktes-izdejdi/ 1.1.1. Call for https://ru.internews.kz/2019 https://newreporter.org/2019/01/29/kon Grants & production /01/konkurs-idej-na- kurs-idej-na-proizvodstvo- technical local proizvodstvo- otechestvennogo-kontenta/ support for content otechestvennogo-kontenta/ quality content https://kk.internews.kz/2019 production /01/otandyk-kontent/ 1.2.1. Call for https://ru.internews.kz/2019 https://newreporter.org/2019/02/06/kon Thematic organizati /02/konkurs-organizatsiya- kurs-organizaciya-obrazovatelnyx- and skills- on obrazovatelnyh- mediaprogramm/ based educationa mediaprogramm/ training for l media media programs https://kk.internews.kz/2019 practitioner /02/mediabagdarlamalaryn/ s Training for media professional s
24 1.1.1. Call for https://ru.internews.kz/2019 Grants & production /02/konkurs-na- technical local proizvodstvo-kontenta- support for content: voprosy-i-otvety/ quality questions content & answers https://kk.internews.kz/2019 production /02/internews-ti-kontent- zhasau-a-arnal-an-granttary- s-ra-zhauap/ 2.2.1. Call for https://ru.internews.kz/2019 https://newreporter.org/2019/02/11/kon Foster participati /02/konkurs-na-uchastie-v- kurs-na-uchastie-v-proekte- developmen on in proekte-grazhdanskie- grazhdanskie-zhurnalisty/ t of citizen “Civil zhurnalisty/ reporting journalists networks ” project https://kk.internews.kz/2019 /02/azamattyk-zhurnalistter/
2.1.2. Internews https://ru.internews.kz/2019 https://newreporter.org/2019/02/12/inte Support announces /02/internews-obyavlyaet- rnews-obyavlyaet-konkurs-grantov-po- broad-based call for konkurs-grantov-po-media- media-i-cifrovoj-gramotnosti/ media media & i-tsifrovoj-gramotnosti/ literacy digital education literacy https://kk.internews.kz/2019 grants /02/internews-media-zh-ne- tsifrly-sauattyly-a-arnal-an- granttar-baj-auyn- zhariyalajdy/ 2.1.1. Internews https://ru.internews.kz/2019 Develop will /02/internews-podgotovit- online prepare mediakritikov-v- media media kazahstane-tadzhikistane-i- literacy and critics in uzbekistane/ analysis Kazakhsta resource n, Tajikistan & Uzbekista n
2.1.3. Call for https://ru.internews.kz/2019 https://newreporter.org/2019/03/12/ten Access survey /03/tender-na-issledovanie- der-na-issledovanie-po-teme- levels of under the po-teme-mediapotrebleniya- mediapotrebleniya-i- media title media i-mediagramotnosti/ mediagramotnosti/ literacy, consumpti consumptio on & n, and trust media literacy
25 1.1.2. Call for https://ru.internews.kz/2019 Inclusive conductio /04/konkurs-na-provedenie- Content n Inclusive inklyuzivnoj-kontent- Labs content laboratorii-na-temu- laboratorie problem-ekologii-v- s under the kazahstane/ title environme https://kk.internews.kz/2019 ntal /04/aza-stanny-ekologiyaly- problems m-seleleri-ta-yrybynda- in inklyuziv-kontent- Kazakhsta laboratoriyasyn-tkizuge-baj- n au/
3.1.3. Build Call for https://ru.internews.kz/2019 the capacity journalists /04/konkurs-dlya- of relevant highlightin zhurnalistov- government g judicial osveshhayushhih-sudebnye- agencies processes protsessy/ and legislatures https://kk.internews.kz/2019 /04/sot-protsesteri-turaly- zhazatyn-zhurnalisterge- arnal-an-baj-au/ 1.1.1. Second https://ru.internews.kz/2019 Grants & round of /02/vtoroj-etap-konkursa- technical call of idej-na-proizvodstvo- support for ideas for kontenta/ quality content production
3.1.2. Call of https://ru.internews.kz/2019 Strengthen grants to /03/konkurs-grantov-na- media support podderzhku- industry media mediaassotsiatsij- associations associatio kazahstana/ for ns in improved Kazakhsta https://kk.internews.kz/2019 representati n /03/aza-stan-media- on and self- auymdasty-taryn-oldau-a- regulation arnal-an-granttar-baj-auy/ 3.2. Support Call of https://ru.internews.kz/2019 https://newreporter.org/2019/03/14/kon independent grants to /03/konkurs-grantov-na- kurs-grantov-na-podderzhku-perexoda- broadcaster support podderzhku-perehoda-na- na-cifrovoe-veshhanie-v-rk-i- to advocate transition tsifrovoe-veshhanie-v-rk/ tadzhikistane/ for and to digital ensure their broadcast https://kk.internews.kz/2019 equities in in /03/r-da-habar- 26 the digital Kazakhsta taratushylardy-tsifrly-habar- switchover n taratu-a-auysuyn-oldau-a- process granttar-baj-auy/ 1.2.1. Create https://ru.internews.kz/2019 Thematic youth /03/sozdaj-molodyozhnoe- and skills- media media-pri-podderzhke- based supported internews/ training for by media Internews https://kk.internews.kz/2019 practitioner /03/internews-oldauymen- s zhastar-mediasyn-zhasa/ New Media Accelerator 3.3. Access Central https://ru.internews.kz/2019 to public Asian call /04/tsentralnoaziatskij- information to develop konkurs-po-razrabotke- is increased media mediaproektov-na-osnove- for all projects otkrytyh-dannyh/ media and using open journalists data
Events 2.2.1. Winners https://ru.internews.kz/2019 Foster of “Civil /03/otobrany-pobediteli- developmen journalists konkursa-na-uchastie-v- t of citizen ” project proekte-grazhdanskie- reporting were zhurnalisty/ networks selected https://kk.internews.kz/2019 /03/azamatty-zhurnalister- zhobasyna-atysu-baj-auyny- zhe-impazdary-irikteldi/ 2.1.1. First https://ru.internews.kz/2019 Develop media /04/pervaya-shkola- online critics mediakritiki-v-tsentralnoj- media school in azii/ literacy and Central analysis Asia https://kk.internews.kz/2019 resource /04/ortaly-aziyada-tken-t- Media ysh-media-syn-mektebi/ Critics Boot Camp Media critique 2.1.1. Ethics in https://newreporter.org/2019/04/08/etik Develop media a-v-mediakritike/ online criticism media literacy and 27 analysis resource Media Critics Boot Camp 2.1.1 Media Develop experts online monitorin media g in literacy and Kazakhsta analysis n. March- resource April 2019 Webinars 1.1.1. Internews’ https://newreporter.org/2019/02/06/gra Grants & grants for nty-na-kontent-ot-internews/ technical content support for quality content production 1.1.1. Successful https://newreporter.org/2019/03/11/pra Grants & pitching vila-uspeshnogo-pitchinga/ technical rules support for quality content production
Tajikistan
# of Subject Internews Newreporter Activities Calls & grants 3.1.1. Call for https://media.tj/konkurs- https://newreporter.org/2019/0 Support and applications: uluchshenie-pravovoj- 1/24/konkurs-uluchshenie- improve Improved legal sredy-dlya-media-v- pravovoj-sredy-dlya-media-v- legal enabling tadzhikistane/ tadzhikistane/ monitoring, environment for analysis, media in and Tajikistan advocacy
28 3.1.3. Internews seeks https://ru.internews.kz/201 https://newreporter.org/2019/0 Build the partner to 9/01/internews-ishhet- 1/24/internews-ishhet-partnera- capacity of organize study partnera-dlya-organizatsii- dlya-organizacii- relevant tour obraz/ obrazovatelnoj-poezdki/ government agencies https://kk.internews.kz/201 and 9/01/internews-bilim-beru- legislatures turlaryn-jymdastyru-a- seriktes-izdejdi/ 2.1.2. Internews will https://media.tj/internews- Support conduct provedet- broad-based counseling konsultacionnuyu- media meeting for grant vstrechu-dlya- literacy competition on uchastnikov-konkursa- education media and digital grantov-po-media-i- literacy cifrovoj-gramotnosti/
1.1.1. Call for https://media.tj/konkurs- Grants and production local idej-na-proizvodstvo- technical content otechestvennogo-kontenta/ support for quality content production
1.2.1. Call for https://media.tj/internews- Thematic organization obyavlyaet-konkurs-po- and skills- educational media organizacii- based programs obrazovatelnyx- training for mediaprogramm/ media practitioner https://media.tj/wp- s content/uploads/2019/03/ %D0%9E%D0%B7%D0 %BC%D1%83%D0%BD- %D0%B8- %D1%82%D0%B0%D1% 88%D0%BA%D0%B8%D 0%BB- %D0%BD%D0%B0%D0 %BC%D1%83%D0%B4 %D0%B0%D0%BD%D0 %B8- %D0%B1%D0%B0%D1 %80%D0%BD%D0%BE %D0%BC%D0%B0%D2 %B3%D0%BE%D0%B8- %D0%BE%D0%BC%D1 29 %83%D0%B7%D0%B8% D1%88%D3%A3- %D0%B1%D0%B0%D1 %80%D0%BE%D0%B8- %D1%80%D0%B0%D1% 81%D0%BE%D0%BD% D0%B0%D2%B3%D0%B E.pdf 1.2.1. Call for https://media.tj/osnovnye- Thematic production local voprosy-i-otvety-po- and skills- content: questions centralno-aziatskoj- based & answers mediaprogramme/ training for media practitioner s
2.2.1. Call for https://media.tj/konkurs- Foster participation in na-uchastie-v-proekte- developmen “Civil journalists” grazhdanskie-zhurnalisty/ t of citizen project reporting https://media.tj/wp- networks content/uploads/2019/04/C ivic_Reporters.pdf 2.1.2. Internews https://media.tj/internews- Support announces call for obyavlyaet-konkurs- broad-based media & digital grantov-po-media-i- media literacy grants cifrovoj-gramotnosti/ literacy education https://media.tj/wp- content/uploads/2019/03/a nnouncement.pdf 1.1.2. Call for https://media.tj/konkurs- Inclusive conduction na-provedenie- Content Inclusive content inklyuzivnoj-kontent- Labs laboratories under laboratorii-na-temu- the title youth molodezhnogo-aktivizma- activism in v-tadzhikistane/ Tajikistan
3.1.3. Call for https://media.tj/stazhirovk Build the journalists a-v-litve-dlya- capacity of highlighting zhurnalistov- relevant judicial processes osveshhayushhix- government /Study tour sudebnye-processy/ agencies
30 and https://media.tj/wp- legislatures content/uploads/2019/04/st udy_tour.pdf 3.1.2. Call of grants to https://media.tj/internews- Strengthen support media obyavlyaet-konkurs- media associations in grantov-po-podderzhke- industry Tajikistan mediaassociacij- associations tadzhikistana/ for improved https://media.tj/wp- representati content/uploads/2019/04/3 on and self- .1.2._Announcement_- regulation approved_March- 11_TJK_Final-Extended- 1.pdf 3.2. Call of grants to https://media.tj/internews- Support support transition obyavlyaet-konkurs-grantov-po- media-i-cifrovoj-gramotnosti/ independent to digital broadcaster broadcast in https://media.tj/wp- s to Tajikistan content/uploads/2019/03/annou advocate for ncement.pdf and ensure their equities in the digital switchover process
1.2.1. Create youth https://media.tj/grantovyj- Thematic media supported konkurs-sozdaj- and skills- by Internews molodyozhnoe-media-pri- based podderzhke-internews/ training for media https://media.tj/wp- practitioner content/uploads/2019/03/ s mediastartup.pdf
3.3. Central Asian call https://media.tj/centralnoa to develop media ziatskij-konkurs- Access to projects using internews-po-razrabotke- public open data mediaproektov-na-osnove- information otkrytyx-dannyx/ is increased for all media and journalists
31 Events 2.1.1. First media critics https://media.tj/internews- Develop school in Central podgotovit-mediakritikov/ online Asia media literacy and analysis resource (Public Media Literacy and Central Asian Media Critics
32 Annex 5. Gender Reporting
Kazakhstan
In November 2018, Internews’ New Reporter.org covered a business event that focused on female media leaders. The extensive coverage highlights newreporter’s commitment to support women’s leadership in media.
One of such participants was Ms. Ekaterina Fisher. Ekaterina Fisher is the Director of “Orken Media.” Orken Media is made up of a TV channel and web-site producing news in Kazakh and Russian. It is the only media in Balkhash that has audience of 75,000 people.
Ekaterina participated in the media business school organized within Internews’ USG-assisted Access to Information (A2i) project. She found participation inspirational. “In our daily work we don’t focus on strategic development of business. Sometimes it is difficult to make it, but due to the training I made conclusion how it is important,” said Ekaterina.
She also said that independent media can’t compete with large state media as they receive state funds. “We had opportunity to meet professionals working in big business with big clients. We even didn’t know how to approach them considering our knowledge,” said Ekaterina Fisher after participation in Media Business School. https://ru.internews.kz/2018/11/novye-znaniya-chtoby-izmenit-svoi-media/
Another participant was Ms. Ekaterina Nazarenko, the Director of Petropavlovsk News, where she manages a team of journalists. She participated in a Media Business School as well as in residencies organized within A2i project. 10 years ago, the outlet was owned by a local business and become a loss-making operation. At the time, the owners offered the editorial team to purchase the outlet in exchange for the debt of unpaid salaries. Now, the outlet is staff-owned.
Thanks to Ekaterina, Petropavlovsk News became self-sustainable. “Since the beginning we optimized our costs, changed working processes, payed debts. But situation on advertising market became worse while costs for print run were increasing. We’ve decided to develop in Internet. Firstly, we started to make weekly releases, then started to develop social networks, after that we launched weekly newsline. We didn’t expect fast money, but we understood that we need to develop in this area,” said Ekaterina Nazarenko. https://ru.internews.kz/2019/02/rezidentsiya-dlya-petropavlovsk-news-bolshe-interaktiva/ -
In March, USG-assisted MediaCAMP & A2i experts organized and participated in two panel discussions within FemAgora festival in Almaty. FemAgora is a week-long event that hosts a series of discussions on the role of women in various fields (culture, science, art, economics, politics, etc.) in Central Asia. Inspired by MediaCAMP, Internews took an active stance in co- organizing a round table in the framework of the festival held on March 2, 2019. The formal organizers of the FemAgora week are the Soros Foundation - Kazakhstan, F. Ebert Foundation and the Eurasian Technological University. Internews’ Regional Business Adviser Zarina Akhmatova stepped in as the main organizer and a host/moderator of two sessions addressing women leadership in media, as well as the reflection of gender issues in media. Internews’ 33 Country Director Erzhan Suleimenov and Project Manager Marina Mikhtaeva participated in the panel discussion promoting the idea of creating an association of women in the media. More than 50 people took part in the round table. The round table was live on social networks of the FemAgora organizers. As a result of the round table, the speakers and the audience came to an understanding of the pressing need to conduct gender research in the field of media in Kazakhstan. Tajikistan
MediaCAMP Project promotes gender issues and supports women in media. To ensure that this commitment carries through to all activities, Internews selected women-led organizations as key project partners.
CSO Khoma was selected as a partner for organizing both TV production and multimedia storytelling schools. The Executive Director and Founder of Khoma Shakhlo Akobirova guides the Committee on Women’s Affairs in the Community Board, she has been recently elected as the Chairman of the Media Council of the Republic and is the Deputy Chairman of the Union of Journalists of Tajikistan. In 2018, she was awarded by the Center of Human Rights in Tajikistan for her active civil position in journalism. As a leader of the organization, Shahlo Akobirova can advocate for female leadership in the media profession in Tajikistan while serving as an example to younger generations.
The Independent Center for Human Rights Protection was selected to monitor and analyze legislation and implementation of existing media laws in Tajikistan. The organization is comprised of legal experts and a group of licensed lawyers specialized in promoting human rights in Tajikistan. The organization led by a prominent human rights activist, Shoira Davlatova, is actively involved in combating torture and impunity, provision of legal support to media and defending journalists at courts, promotion of access to public information and carrying out strategic litigations. Much like Ms. Akobirova, Shoira Davlatova has a unique opportunity to combine an advocacy and a mentorship role representing women in legal and journalism professions. Under her leadership, her organization will reach out and provide support to female journalists.
Internews follows its global strategy on Gender Equality and Women`s Empowerment and to ensure that 50% of all beneficiaries of CAMP activities are women.
34 Annex 6. Media Critics Boot Camp Agenda ANNEX 7 Media Critics Training Agenda, Media Critics Bootcamp, March 25-27, 2019
1st day, March 25 10.00 – 11.00. Welcoming. Acquaintance (in format of Speed dating in pairs). 11.00 – 13.00 Interactive lecture. What is a media criticism and why do we need it? 13.00 -14.00 Coffee break 14.00 – 15.30 “Old story in a new way”. Play with plot of “Little red riding hood”. 15.30 - 15.45 –Coffee break 15.45 – 17. 15. “Freeze frame”. How to watch movie? 17.15 – 17.30 Summarizing the work.
2nd day, March 26 10.00 – 11.00 – Weekdays of television critic. Media criticism and “Temper essays”. 11.00 – 13. 00. “We’re watching! We’re discussing” - 5 final programs from countries of training participants (including final informational program “Vremya” (Times), where “obscene language” was used 13.00 – 14. 00 Coffee break 14.00 – 15.30 – Lecture. Media survey and media analysis 15.30 – 16.15 – Lecture. Dates, obits, events. How to write critically without offensive critics?
3rd day, March 27 10.00 – 11.30 – Debriefing. Discussion reviews of participants on “Good night and luck” movie 11.30 – 11.45 – Coffee break 11.45 – 13.15. Infotainment and visual emotions. Parfyonov and “parfenyata” 13.15 – 14.00 Lunch 14.00 – 15.00. Watching premiere “Namedni” on Youtube 15.00 – 16.00 – “Here is namedni…” Writing mini quotes for social network 16.00 – 17.30 –Analyzing mini quotes
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