The Many Challenges of Native Language Journalism in : The Case of CAP Paper 221, July 2019

Elmurat Ashiraliev is a journalist at Kloop Media, an IWPR in Central Asia, Abahon Sultonazarov, summarizes well independent Kyrgyz media outlet that covers topics the many issues faced by Kyr- including politics, human rights, and corruption. As a gyz-language media outlets: part of the Kloop Media team, Elmurat served as the News websites in Kyrgyz were most- Kyrgyz editor for the UNDEF- and UNESCO-supported ly tabloid [yellow press]. Or they be- “Community Media Centers” projects. He is a member longed to certain politicians. They of the “Esimde” team that researches the history and could be opposition members, cur- rent and former politicians, and so memory of the Kyrgyz Republic. Elmurat earned an M.A. on. Kyrgyz is a beautiful language, in Central Asian Studies from the American University of but you know, it was used, I would like to emphasize, unfortunately, for Central Asia in 2016. blackening, uncovering who slept with whom, what they did, who is the The influence of the Russian lan- and issues varies in tone, em- relative of whom. Kyrgyz is spoken in guage is still apparent in almost phasis, content, and perspective. rural areas. The majority of people in all spheres of life in Central Asia. Russian-speaking news outlets our region [Central Asia] live in ru- Despite the new states’ policies of are more -centric and ral areas and they are the electorate. The politicians used mass media to developing their native languag- some are likely to cover stories discredit their opponents.1 es—policies that have now been from a Russia-oriented perspec- tive, while Kyrgyz-language mass in place for nearly 30 years—Rus- Based on a study of 21 countries media are more conservative and sian remains a key language in across Europe and Eurasia, the “provincial” in the sense of doing the realms of politics, education, IREX 2018 report on media sus- more reporting on regional is- economics, culture, and informa- tainability2 ranks profession- sues. Oftentimes, Russian-speak- tion technology. The mediascape al journalism in Central Asian ing mass media have wider is no exception. In Kyrgyzstan, countries at a very low level in public resonance and social con- as in other neighboring Central terms of their quality and profes- sequence than Kyrgyz-language Asian states, journalism is mostly sional standards (see Figure 1). outlets. Kyrgyz-speaking news bilingual. Kyrgyz and Russian— Some of the IREX report’s points outlets are often considered to recognized in the Constitution as highlight the main issues that this be biased and to carry unverified the state and official languages, paper will discuss. These include information, making them closer respectively— can be used equal- the observations that, “Enter- to tabloid journalism than Rus- ly for legislation and other official tainment content tends to domi- sian-speaking media, even if the pronouncements. nate. When the media do publish latter have also produced what articles on political or socially is called “yellow press” (zheltaia Depending on the language used, important topics, the quality is the coverage of particular events pressa). The regional director of

CAP Fellows Paper 221 1 Figure 1. IREX media sustainability assessment for Central Asia

Source: IREX, Media Sustainability Index 2018 low” (); “A code of estimates reach up to 80 percent. This paper is based on official sta- ethics for journalists has been in According to a Digital Central tistics, interviews with local and effect since 2007, but it has little Asia report, Internet penetra- international media experts, and impact” (Kyrgyzstan); “Televi- tion is at a low 35 percent,4 while content analysis of Kyrgyz-lan- sion broadcasts do not present a M-Vector research estimates it at guage news sites. The expert in- balance of opinions, and reports 59 percent,5 and calculations by terviews were conducted between are usually written in the first local official institutions are way December 2018 and March 2019. person” (); and “The too high, at above 80 percent.6 A The content analysis comprises most common violations among large share of the population still five Kyrgyz-language news sites— Uzbek journalists are favoritism prefers to receive news via tradi- one state-funded and four pri- and plagiarism, as well as the use tional mass media; nevertheless, vate. After discussing the changes of a single source of information” news coming from the Internet in Kyrgyzstan’s linguistic land- ().3 is increasingly prevalent across scape, this paper explores the the country.7 While the tradition- country’s mediascape, discusses This paper investigates Kyrgyz- al mass media (TV, newspapers, the problems in Kyrgyz-language stan’s mediascape in the coun- and radio) can be effectively con- online media, and advances some try’s native language and the trolled by the government, online recommendations for addressing challenges it faces. It focuses on media in general exist without these issues. online media, which represent a censorship and make the media significant share of Kyrgyzstan’s environment in Kyrgyzstan fuzzy The Growth of Kyrgyz media consumption today. Al- and messy by spreading fake Language though there are no generally news, sensational crime stories, accepted data on the level of In- gossip about celebrities and offi- Given the past and ethnic ternet penetration in the country, cials, etc. composition of Kyrgyzstan,

CAP Fellows Paper 221 2 the Kyrgyz language was and Russian to retain its status. The Our writers [journalists] have one bad remains a minority language in first group usually expresses fear habit. It’s an illness of using foreign Bishkek, the capital city. Press of the loss of Kyrgyz culture, tra- words, which are not necessarily releases of all kinds (from state ditions, and values together with pleasant to the ears, in their articles. departments, international the loss of language. Some urge Although such a “method” might seem peculiar to people who are institutions, and public and non- the government to implement not familiar with ancient words in governmental organizations the state (Kyrgyz) language pol- our mother tongue, it feels petty, 9 alike) are usually composed and icy. Some insist that the status “inappropriate,” to those who value disseminated first in Russian. of Russian as an official language the worth of words. […] In the past, Press releases in Kyrgyz are thus should be revoked10 and that used to call wealth either translations from Russian Kyrgyz should replace it in all that is hidden in a secret place qan (sometimes low in quality spheres of life, while also encour- salyq [king tax]. For example, people and difficult to understand) aging the learning of foreign lan- say “the pirates could not find the or unavailable entirely. guages.11 Some express concern king tax sniffing over the night.” Notwithstanding, production that the quality of education in […] Today, the journalists write “the president’s personal foundation”— in Kyrgyz is growing: more and Kyrgyz is lower than that in Rus- why not just write “the president’s more movies and TV series are sian, thus causing Kyrgyz-speak- king tax?” […] It is an insult and 12 being produced in and/or dubbed ers to lag behind in all spheres. shame that the Kyrgyz army calls into the national language. A The second group, comprised of our soldiers sarbaz even though good amount of local literature advocates of Russian, says that we have the word jooker in our in Kyrgyz is available, and Kyrgyz Russian should be strengthened mother tongue. This word [sarbaz] translations of foreign literature and enriched because it helps to was used for the knights of can be obtained as well, although preserve Kyrgyzstan’s cultural Khanate that attacked and invaded there are only a few. Furthermore, and historical legacy, including Kyrgyz people in its time. Sarbaz is some theater performances the Soviet one.13 A third group a Persian word with the meaning of “knight.” By the way, the soldiers of are now delivered in Kyrgyz. worries about Russian proficien- Manas were called choro. Or to call However, Kyrgyz is rarely used in cy diminishing and Kyrgyz being them eren is also suitable.17 academia; academic research is unable to function as a state lan- still mainly produced in Russian. guage, seeing in this paradox a Another article denounces This is explicable by the fact sign of the decline of literacy in 14 journalists for using the wrong that the majority of Kyrgyzstan’s the country. words: scholars are representatives of the Soviet generation: they The various issues of language Lately we are hearing some studied in Russian and have translation and linguistic purity journalists say the word kar (snow) limited resources to translate are frequently taken up by mass with two “a”s, which is “kaar.” their materials into Kyrgyz and to media in different ways, some- Only one “a” is used in the word use the national language in their times producing agreement that kar. It is said, “Kar jaady,” “kar research. The situation is quite Kyrgyz and Russian should not tüshtü” (it snowed). It is said, “Kar different in the , where confront each other and should kalyñ jaady” or “kar juka jaady” (it Kyrgyz is more widely used and develop in parallel,15 and some- snowed heavily or it snowed lightly) Russian is losing its foothold.8 times accusing official institu- […] while “kaar” is used for angry people. For example, it is said, “one tions responsible for language got very angry.” It means one is upset. Language use is the object of a policy of damaging the Kyrgyz […] One of our singers has been 16 growing debate in Kyrgyzstan, language. singing the verse “Bolgondursuñ yet not at the same level as it has ömürgö özüñ cherik” incorrectly. been for decades in neighboring One article, for instance, criti- The sound director who recorded the Kazakhstan. Positions diverge be- cized journalists for crafting new song and the music editor who gave tween those who want to promote words and encouraged them to permission to broadcast it should a more proactive Kyrgyz-speak- use Kyrgyz words instead: not have permitted the song to be ing policy and those who want aired until the words of the song

CAP Fellows Paper 221 3 were corrected. Unfortunately, they ing from secondary schools are total of 21,198 students took the didn’t. The song “Kyzyl örük” has required to take the National test in Kyrgyz, twice as many as been sung wrongly for a long time. Test in order to apply for higher the 11,031 students who took it We would like to appeal to the editors education in the country. Nowa- in Russian. That year, 1,202 stu- and singer who do not understand days, the test is available in two dents took the exam in Uzbek. As the difference between “sherik” and “cherik.” “Sherik” means “friend, languages: Kyrgyz and Russian. for 2018, 29,524 took the test in comrade.” In the song “Kyzyl örük” Before 2014, pupils also had the Kyrgyz and 16,990 in Russian. it has this meaning. But “cherik” is option to take the test in Uzbek, However, as we see in Figure the name of one of the four tribes of but due to reforms to the test sys- 3, the average score earned by Kyrgyz people.18 tem, Uzbek is no longer available. Kyrgyz-speaking test-takers is typically lower than that of their A good way to follow the growth As we can see from Figure 2, Russian-language counterparts, of the Kyrgyz language is to look there is a huge difference be- revealing the difficulties that at secondary education. It has re- tween the numbers of National Kyrgyz-speaking schools have in mained trilingual, with Kyrgyz, Test takers in Kyrgyz and Rus- reaching the level of their Rus- Russian, and, to a lesser extent, sian. There are typically twice as sian-speaking counterparts and Uzbek being the main languages many pupils taking the test in developing a full-fledged Kyrgyz of instruction. Pupils graduat- Kyrgyz as in Russian. In 2008, a language.

Figure 2. Number of pupils taking the National Test in Kyrgyz, Russian, and Uzbek over the past ten years

Source: Center for Educational Assessment and Teaching Methods, Testing.kg/eng

CAP Fellows Paper 221 4 Figure 3. Average score of test-takers for the past ten years

Source: Center for Educational Assessment and Teaching Methods. Testing.kg/eng

Kyrgyzstan’s Mediascape or location of these media. much more limited than the offi- and Its Bilingualism cial number of outlets registered Importantly, not all of the mass would suggest. In such a linguistic context, what media registered with the Min- is the state of the media landscape istry of Justice are operation- The majority of Kyrgyzstan’s in Kyrgyzstan? According to al—many exist only on paper. mass media are located in Bish- Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Justice, According to research conducted kek, even if there are also a few which grants licenses to mass in 2013, the number of function- media outlets functioning in media, there are 2,564 registered ing media outlets in the country the regions, mostly covering lo- mass media in the country.19 was only around 200. The Mass cal issues. Some state-financed However, online media are Media Support Center in Kyrgyz- TV channels, radio stations, and not included in that list, which stan recorded about 112 print me- newspapers operate on all lev- counts 1,392 newspapers, 666 dia.20 A local organization called els (national, regional, and dis- magazines, 394 TV and radio Tinchtik Monitoring Service lists trict): the TV channels KTRK, companies, and a number of on its webpage 27 radio stations ELTR, 5 Kanal, and Piramida; almanacs, periodicals, video that are available online.21 The the radio stations Birinchi Ra- studios, books, newspaper and National Union of Television dio, Kyrgyz Radio, and Min Kiyal magazine supplements, and and Radio Broadcasting lists 30 Radio; the newspaper Erkin Too programs. The Ministry of Justice TV channels available by satel- (5,000-6,000 print circulation); does not specify the ownership lite to Kyrgyz citizens.22 The tra- and the online outlet Kabar.kg type (public or private), language, ditional media landscape is thus are all state-funded and are the

CAP Fellows Paper 221 5 largest of the regional state news lic TV company in Kyrgyzstan. Its 135,000 users. Radio programs media. Besides these state me- radio programs are broadcast on in Kyrgyz and Russian discuss dia, the private sector also has the regional stations as well as for social, economic, cultural, and a strong presence. The majority three hours a day on the biggest political issues in the country. of the mass media, regardless of public radio station, Birinchi: a Its online radio airs 24 hours per their type, fall into this catego- one-hour radio program in the day. During the day, content from ry. Private TV companies, radio mornings, a 30-minute one in the Kyrgyzstan is included in the stations, and newspapers can afternoons, and a 90-minute one broadcast, while at other times it operate in the country once they in the evenings. Radio programs consists entirely of rebroadcasts receive a license from the Minis- consist of local and internation- in Russian. try of Justice. In contrast to tradi- al news, in-studio talk shows on tional mass media, online media social, political, and economic In terms of language use, almost outlets are not obliged to register. topics, etc. Azzatyk’s website of- all TV channels have some con- fers online radio programming tent in Russian, but most of their As for the international media as well as archives of past broad- programming is in Kyrgyz. Two corporations functioning in Kyr- casts. Azattyk runs two sites (Kyr- TV channels, Yntymak and Nur gyzstan, three of them are widely gyz and Russian) and has a strong TV, which operate in southern visible and present in both tra- presence on social media, with Kyrgyzstan, also have some con- ditional and new formats: Azat- over 1.5 million users across var- tent in Uzbek. On public channels, tyk (Radio Free Europe/Radio ious platforms, including Face- the proportion of Kyrgyz-lan- Liberty’s Kyrgyz service), the book, Instagram, Twitter, You- guage content ranges from a min- BBC’s Kyrgyz service, and Sput- Tube, and . imum of 23 percent (Piramida) nik Kyrgyzstan. Although less to a maximum of 69 percent (EL- significantly, there are also Turk- In comparison with Azattyk, the TR).23 Not all Russian-language ish (TRT Kyrgyz), Iranian (Ca- airtime of BBC Kyrgyz is much content is produced in Kyrgyz- irnews.com/kg), and Chinese more modest: 15 minutes per day stan: the majority of it is rebroad- (one-hour “Travel to ” pro- on airspace owned by the public cast from Russia, especially mov- gram aired daily on the biggest TV company KTRK. BBC Kyr- ies, series, and entertainment public TV channel, KTRK) offer- gyz TV programs are described programs. Private channels are ings that target the Kyrgyzstani as BBC world news and are de- all bilingual, featuring content in audience. livered in Kyrgyz. The hour-long Kyrgyz and in Russian. One of the daily radio programs of BBC Kyr- biggest private companies, NTS, Among international radio and gyz, which cover local and inter- offers 40 percent Kyrgyz content TV outlets, Azattyk has the most national news, are also aired on and 60 percent Russian content air time. Most of its programming Birinchi Radio. BBC Kyrgyz op- (with the latter being both local- is in Kyrgyz, the exception being erates a website in Kyrgyz and is ly produced and imported from a weekly 40-minute program in active on social media, with over Russia). The same trend is visi- Russian. Its programs range from 120,000 users across Facebook, ble in radio. The biggest public talk shows on local political and Twitter, and YouTube. radio station, Birinchi Radio, of- social issues to youth and world fers approximately 70 percent of news. Azattyk averages one hour Kyrgyzstan, funded by programming in Kyrgyz and 30 of TV airtime per day (except on Russian media holding Rossi- percent in Russian. The excep- Sundays), mostly in the after- ia Segodnia, has radio programs tions are Kyrgyzstan Obondoru, noons and evenings. Its programs that are aired across the coun- Sanjyra, Min Kiyal and Kyrgyz have been broadcast on the pri- try. It also has a strong presence Radiosu, which broadcast in Kyr- vate NTS channel since July 2015. on the Internet, providing online gyz only. Before that, Azattyk’s programs radio, news, video, and photo sto- used to be aired on a channel ries on its site and social media Unlike television and radio, print owned by KTRK, the largest pub- pages, which attract a combined media are usually monolingual,

CAP Fellows Paper 221 6 either completely in Kyrgyz or bilingual Kyrgyz-Russian. There websites are run by journalists. completely in Russian. Kyr- are also print media in Korean, Activists, bloggers, experts, and gyz-language print media are Azeri, Dungan, Uzbek, English, the like might be running the more numerous than their Rus- Uyghur, and Turkish. Most of website and competing with sian-language counterparts. Ac- them are bilingual with Russian online media outlets for audience cording to Mass Media Support content, while Uyghur and Uzbek share. Third, a website can Center in Kyrgyzstan, 66 of 112 newspapers are monolingual. function and spread information newspapers are in Kyrgyz, while among the Kyrgyz audience 21 of them are in Russian. The The Kyrgyz-Speaking Online without being physically located state-financed biweekly newspa- Media World in Kyrgyzstan. per Erkin Too is in Kyrgyz and Russian. It also features local po- Kyrgyzstan’s online media world Kyrgyzstan-based aggregator litical, social, and economic news is difficult to study and measure, Net.kg gathers information on in Kyrgyz. Most of the print me- for several reasons. First, websites that are operating in the dia are privately owned and fo- launching a web-based mass country. As of March 27, 2019, it cus more on political and social media activity does not require had data for 1,559 sites, which it issues. Eighteen newspapers are state registration. Second, not all groups into several categories, as shown in Figure 4. This does not Figure 4. Thematic division of the Kyrnet world include those media outlets that do not want to disclose traffic information and are therefore not captured by Net.kg.

Surprisingly, it is challenging to precisely identify the divi- sion between Kyrgyz-language and Russian-language media, in particular because many web- sites are bilingual. But one can observe high circulation among Kyrgyz-language newspapers, a growing number of Internet us- ers consuming digital content in Kyrgyz, and more programs on public TV and radio broadcasts in Kyrgyz. Source: Author’s compilation based on Net.kg For online media, data retrieved Figure 5. Word usage in Kyrnet from Yandex Keyword Statistics seems to indicate the dominance of the over the Kyrgyz language in Kyrnet. For instance, in February 2019, traf- fic from Kyrgyzstan shows that the Kyrgyz word for weather, aba irayi, was used 3,807 times, while the Russian equivalent, pogoda, was used 221,221 times; the Kyr- Source: Author’s compilation based on Yandex Keyword gyz word for news, janylyktar, Statistics was used 6,317 times, while the CAP Fellows Paper 221 7 Russian term, novosti, was used Online media can be monolingual a different domain for the Kyrgyz 45,285 times. Russian-language (Russian or Kyrgyz) as well as bi- version (24.kg/kyrgyzcha). queries in Kyrnet are also 20 lingual. Figure 6 shows the top 20 Since I do not have traffic data times more numerous than those news sites on the aggregator ser- for 24.kg/kyrgyzcha, I do not in Kyrgyz, although the data vice Net.kg and classifies them by include this media outlet in my show that Kyrgyz-language news language. analysis. By contrast, Barometr. websites are in demand and are kg has the same domain name in consumed on an equal basis with In this paper, I focus primarily Kyrgyz and in Russian; as such, I Russian-language news portals. on monolingual news sites that have included it in my analysis. Indeed, according to the Net.kg publish articles only in Kyrgyz. In this paper, I investigate the ranking, of the top 20 websites, To that list, I also add several following five most-visited news 10 are in Kyrgyz, meaning that bilingual sites on the basis of their sites: Barometr.kg, Kabar.kg, websites in Kyrgyz and Russian ranking on the website-ranking Kyrgyztoday.org, Super.kg, and are equally popular among Inter- aggregator. For example, Net.kg Turmush.kg. With the exception net users. shows 24.kg in its top 5, but its of Kabar.kg, all are private media main page is in Russian and it has companies. Figure 6. Top 20 most visited news sites according to Net.kg (listed in alphabetical order)

Kyrgyz Bilingual Russian Argument.kg Barometr.kg Kaktus.media Chagylgan.kg Eldik.media Ca-news.org Kalys.media Kabar.kg and Kabar.kg/kyr Svodka.akipress.org Super.kg Knews.kg Tazabek.kg Kyrgyztoday.org Mp.kg Sputnik.kg Delo.kg Turmush.kg Vesti.kg 24.kg

Source: Author’s compilation based on Net.kg Figure 7. Daily readership of news sites

Source: Author’s compilation based on Net.kg CAP Fellows Paper 221 8 Super.kg is the website of news about crimes, lawsuits, content and vice versa. popular newspaper Super Info, trials, and accidents. Between a weekly with the largest print 20,000 and 40,000 people visit The Kyrgyz-Speaking News circulation in the country, at Ca-news.org on a daily basis; World and Its Challenges 50,000. A recent study found that the site contains news stories on it was the main print medium that Central Asia and migrants from As we can see, Kyrgyz-speaking respondents reported reading.24 the region. A limited assortment online news media form a lively Like its print counterpart, of international materials is also and multifaceted environment. the website is popular among available. Yet the question this paper seeks Kyrgyz-speaking Internet users. to explore is not so much the The online version contains Barometr.kg’s daily readership quantity of Kyrgyz-language news more options, such as daily news, is between 10,000 to 20,000 websites as their content and the songs, music videos, movies, and people. The site, which has difficulties associated with pro- a forum. According to internet Kyrgyz and Russian versions, ducing high-quality content. statistics, around 80,000 covers politics, social problems, users visit Super.kg daily—a crime, and show business as All the data presented here are huge number for the Kyrgyz well as sports and international from the week of March 25 – mediascape. The website writes news. The Kyrgyz content does March 31, 2019. The news sites in mostly about singers, actors, and not usually duplicate the Russian question do not always offer ma- celebrities, as well as accidents, content and vice versa. terials that comply with journal- politics, and sports, and covers istic principles such as fairness, both Bishkek-based news and State information agency Kabar. balance, accuracy, and ethics. regional stories. kg’s daily readership is around 4,000. Although its homepage The coverage of different issues Turmush.kg // Svodka. is in Russian, it is possible varies depending on the news akipress.org // Ca-news. to use the navigation button portals’ editorial policy, which org. Although these websites to go to its Kyrgyz version. It is not always clearly stated (see appear separately on ranking also has versions in , Figure 8). For instance, on Tur- services, they are all part of Chinese, English, and Turkish. mush.kg, one cannot find news Akipress.org, which is one of Its main sections are President, about national-level events tak- the most-visited private online Parliament, and Government, ing place in Bishkek and relat- media in the country. Akipress. followed by Politics, Economics, ed to the president, government org covers almost all spheres of Society, Analytics, and Provinces. ministries, and members of par- life in Kyrgyzstan. It has different liament. Instead, the site’s focus websites with specific content, With between 1,000 and 6,000 is on events outside the capi- of which these three are the daily visitors, Kyrgyztoday. tal. In contrast to Turmush.kg, most visited by Internet users, org has two versions: Kyrgyz and Barometr.kg, Kabar.kg, Kyrgyz- according to the aggregator. Russian. Its materials are mostly today.org, and Super.kg are more Turmush.kg’s daily number of focused on political and social Bishkek-centric. The majority of readers ranges from 40,000 to issues in Bishkek, with a few news international news on Kabar.kg 90,000. It mostly covers news stories covering regional and and Kyrgyztoday.org are reposts stories in regional towns and rural international events. The most from Radio Free Europe/Radio areas, reporting on everything frequently used categories on Liberty’s Central Asia service. taking place outside Bishkek. the site are: Central Asia, World, Barometr.kg and Super.kg also The homepage is in Kyrgyz Society, Crime Stories, Position provide international stories in and the site also has a Russian and Power, Official News, Politics, Kyrgyz, with or without referring version. Svodka.akipress.org’s Sports, Economics, Culture and to the sites where they were orig- daily readership hovers around Literature, and Show Business. inally published. Turmush.kg’s 20,000; the site, which is The Kyrgyz content does not international news stories usually available only in Russian, offers usually duplicate the Russian relate to Kyrgyz citizens who have lived or still live abroad. CAP Fellows Paper 221 9 Figure 8. News coverage of sites

Source: Author’s compilation based on content analysis

Figure 9. Content production of news sites

Source: Author’s compilation based on content analysis

CAP Fellows Paper 221 10 Another important point regard- istration is doing. Some pieces Building on these case studies ing the content of news sites is are purely personal and intimate of the five main Kyrgyz-speak- whether the materials are col- stories of ordinary residents, who ing online news outlets, one can lected and processed by journal- share their successes or tell about identify three main issues facing ists themselves. For example, their bad luck. There are several Kyrgyz-language online journal- as shown in Figure 9, Barometr. articles that mainly involve peo- ism: lack of transparency, lack kg, Kabar.kg and Kyrgyztoday. ple complaining about bad infra- of ethics and lack of profession- org repost more from other out- structure in their neighborhoods. al training. Yet Kyrgyz-language lets than they produce their own news websites are not the only content. Having said that, it is The majority of publications on ones facing these issues; Rus- not always easy to identify which Barometr.kg are social media sian-language sites have similar material is their own and which posts, press releases from state limitations. is not. Super.kg and Turmush.kg, organizations, and international meanwhile, have more of their news. These are often sensation- Lack of Transparency own content than republications. alized, presenting extreme opin- The presence of expressions like ions and events—with little or no “… told Super.kg” and “As Tur- editing and based on one or no Transparency about how news mush.kg’s regional journalist re- sources (where there are sources, is collected and how informa- ported…” indicate that they inter- these are often of dubious trust- tion and facts are cross-checked viewed their sources themselves. worthiness). Celebrities’ social is one of the main issues relat- The former three news sites often media posts are published under ing to Kyrgyzstan’s media. First, lack such formulas. sensationalist titles; some articles not all websites provide basic treat social media posts as news information about what type of In general, news sites’ narratives without providing any further de- media company they are, what are heavily descriptive and of- velopment or analysis. their editorial policy is, and who ten present the views of only one works on their team. It is not al- side. They thus fall short of fair Kabar.kg looks more like a ways clear whether the website and balanced reporting, which is press-release website. The major- is commercial, noncommercial, vital to quality journalism. ity of its content is comprised of private, government-affiliated, press releases and statements by nongovernmental, etc., nor what Let us briefly summarize the state officials or about their meet- its financial status is. As a result, significant differences between ings and visits to other places. readers are unable to determine these websites. Turmush.kg is whether websites earn advertis- successful at informing its read- On all the websites, stories about ing revenues, receive grants, are ers about everyday life in the accidents and crimes feature financed by politicians or busi- country’s provinces. It offers sto- prominently. These may be local nessmen, etc. ries about people’s everyday lives or international and can range and achievements and covers from car accidents to sexual abuse The majority of Kyrgyz-speak- almost all activities carried out to deadly offenses. Such events ing websites describe themselves by local municipal authorities at are taken up by news outlets and variously as news portals, news various regional levels (towns, offered as sensational stories. agencies, internet publications, districts, villages). But most of information agencies, internet the time, the stories are covered On Barometr.kg, Kabar.kg, and editions, or information-ana- loosely, without emphasizing Kyrgyztoday.org, photos are pre- lytical portals, among other de- why it is important that the story sented without credits. Super.kg scriptors. But they rarely provide be told. Some pieces come across and Turmush.kg, meanwhile, wa- information about their editorial as little more than press releas- termark their photos, indicating policy, while contact information es: they just provide information that they hold the copyright for is often limited to phone numbers about new appointments and the images they are using. and email addresses. Some web- what the local municipal admin- sites are easy to use and navigate,

CAP Fellows Paper 221 11 while others are dominated by Lack of Code of Conduct Among the main indicators of a advertising or contain distracting lack of professionalism, many ar- formatting that confirms the low The professionalism of Kyrgyz- ticles are published both without level of professionalism of web- speaking online media is limited naming the source of a fact/opin- site designers (not to mention the by several factors. Although ion and without explaining the actual content of the website). international media outlets absence of a named source (secu- usually function in accordance rity concerns, spoke on condition To take one example, Barometr. with journalistic principles of anonymity, etc.). Kabar.kg and kg provides only a phone (and and ethics, the Central Asian Turmush.kg also do not indicate WhatsApp) number and email bureaus of some international the authors of articles, unlike address in the footer of its web- media outlets may not be Barometr.kg, Kyrgyztoday.org, page, briefly mentioning that it is neutral, expressing either and Super.kg. an information agency. But if one support for the government or digs into its advertising media kit, systematic criticism.25 Moreover, Many articles tell stories that rely it calls itself the “fastest-growing local journalists working at on the words of unidentified peo- news portal” in Kyrgyzstan and international media outlets ple and/or are based on rumors. states: may not share the values of In order to discredit and mock their umbrella organization, particular figures, they often de- We assist readers in understanding for instance some may oppose ploy a judgmental, accusatory, complicated political, economic, NGOs that are supported by or humiliating tone. Some texts and social problems with the help the West. For their part, local make strong statements based of argumentative analysis and an websites can be divided into on the author’s personal obser- accessible/comprehensible mode two broad categories: those that vations, impressions, or feelings of explanation. Our resource is actively developing its communities (try to) comply with journalistic while not providing the other side and groups across key social media principles and ethics (e.g., of the story. In many cases, an using its “viral” (quote in original) Kloop.kg) and those that are less author will not interview sources, material. We post materials with concerned with this. Most of the instead composing the story as he different points of view, which websites that appear on the Net. or she wishes, making assump- removes restrictions and promotes kg list of most-visited sites fall tions, disinforming, and produc- discussion. into the second category. ing biased content. Such materi- als are prevalent on Kyrgyztoday. org in the form of reposts. Box 1. Four typical articles

Atambaev’s right-hand man Farid Niyazov also participated in the funeral of Babirbek Jeenbekov

Author: Baktibek Ergeshov Date: March 25, 2019

On March 23, famous journalist and revolutionary Babirbek Jeenbekov’s funeral took place in Bishkek. Many public figures participated in it. Dosaly Esenaliev, the chief of the Presidential Administration, spoke on behalf of the state and talked about his [the late journalist’s] work for the Kyrgyz Republic and his personal qualities.

But Farid Niyazov, the representative of the former power that did not value our brother Babirbek’s work in its time, came pathetically, quickly expressed his condolences, and ran away. Atambaev should have come to the funeral him- self instead of sending his right-hand man Farid.

As the popular saying goes, “Heroes make revolution, inciters get its fruit.” The 2010 revolution was accomplished by heroes like brother Babirbek, but evil individuals like Atambaev and Niyazov benefited from its fruits.

Source: KyrgyzToday26

CAP Fellows Paper 221 12 Offended Atambaev, who moved out of the residence, now wants to move back into the residence upon Putin’s visit

Author: Baktibek Ergeshov Date: March 26, 2019

In April 2018, when the power did not allow Almazbek Atambaev’s revanchist friends to enter the “Ala-Archa” resi- dence, the offended ex-president moved to his palace, which was built on Maxim Bakiev’s land in Koy-Tash.

Since then, Atambaev, who [allegedly declared that he] would “never return” to the residence, is trying to move back into the residence for Russian president Vladimir Putin’s visit to Kyrgyzstan. Apparently, Atambaev is planning to meet Putin and complain about his problems.

As a reminder, in the fall of last year (2018), ex-president Almazbek Atambaev was unable to meet with Russian president V. Putin on his trip to Moscow. It was said that even his [Putin’s] press secretary Dmitry Peskov did not agree to receive him.

If Atambaev manages to meet with Putin on March 28-29, it is clear that he will hug him as always and take photos to make PR of it.

Source: Kyrgyztoday.kg27

Kiyanbek Satibaldiev’s illiteracy resulted in words

Author: Adina Sagymbekova Date: March 25, 2019

[…] Unfortunately, Kiyanbek Satibaldiev, the representative for Government [Governor] of Jalal-Abad, could not shine for the president, . He is going wrong. On March 17, he should have given a word to the relatives of people who died in the Aksi events. It was his duty as the governor. But he did not. The relatives of the Aksi victims were offended and it became a sensitive issue. Satibaldiev’s poor understanding of politics and incom- petence at organizing public events are becoming clear in his unprofessionalism. This shames not only him, but also the president. Kiyanbek’s other “rotten behaviors” and scandals have also appeared in the mass media. How long do we have to keep illiterate and false heads in their positions? It seems probable that we cannot develop because of them.

Akin Bekchoroev Source: Asia News28

Chinibay demonstrated his cunning…

Author: Adina Sagymbekova Date: March 26, 2019

Chinibay Tursunbekov, once a head of coalition and speaker, two-time leader of the KSDP parliamentary faction, is currently doing the complete opposite. What this means is that he announced his withdrawal from KSDP, thanks to which he came into political arena and took high positions. He said he would not participate in the KSDP congress and implied that he would not want more problems. In other words, he demonstrated his cunning, which seeks only his personal interest. When KSDP was flourishing, he was with them; now, when it is going through a hard time, he runs away. Isn’t that “betrayal?”

Source: Fabula29

CAP Fellows Paper 221 13 Furthermore, it is not always clear On news sites, publications may express apparently surprising if news sites produce their own be credited to other media out- opinions about political, social, content. Online media are more lets or authors; alternatively, they or personal issues. Such mate- likely than their print counter- may be posted without any attri- rials are prevalent on Barometr. parts to (re-)publish press releas- bution. Some websites publish kg. Box 2 contains two examples es with little or no editing. This posts from social media—usu- of the site publishing Facebook is particularly the case on Kabar. ally sensational crime stories, posts as news. kg. Moreover, press releases are extreme political views, rumors often published in their original about celebrities, etc.—without Last but not least, stories of pri- language, meaning that they are cross-checking and verifying in- vate matters prevail, oftentimes often difficult for the general pub- formation. Several websites con- loosely covered rather than being lic to understand. tain social media posts by public investigated in detail and their figures and ordinary citizens that importance explained. Stories

Box 2. Two examples of Barometr treating Facebook posts as news

Ahmatbek Keldibekov and Isa Ömürkulov went to eat free burgers

Author: Barometr Date: March 26, 2019

Yesterday, March 25, well-known politicians went to the opening of Timati’s Black Star Burger café in Bish- kek. The activist Adil Turdukulov posted on Twitter a photo of parliamentarian Isa Ömürkulov and ex-par- liamentarian Ahmatbek Keldibekov, who appeared at the café opening.

“Are they serving Black Burger for them?” he wrote.

Social media users are responding in different ways.

As a reminder, yesterday, March 25, Russian rapper Timati (Timur Yunusov) promised free burgers to resi- dents of Bishkek in Asia Mall shopping center.38

Nazira Atybekova: “Nobody knows about my tomorrow?! But I am not sad anymore”

Author: Atirgül Muhammatkulova Date: March 25, 2019

Journalist and host Nazira Aytbekova wrote that her grandmother told her to marry as soon as possible. Aytbekova posted her ideas about that on Facebook.

She posted: “Hey, girl, while you are young, marry and bear [kids]. It is difficult to be alone. When you be- come old, not even the dog will look at you, let alone a husband,” Grandmother said. She constantly repeats it, so that I hear it. […] Granny, in your time, you were able to do men’s jobs as well as women’s. Your soul wants to lie and you are asleep again. When you wake up, you say you worry about me and repeat that word a thousand times. I could do nothing but smile. Nobody knows about my tomorrow?! But I am not sad any- more. My wound recovered. I am looking at life with joy. When you are sinking, you try to swim. I did the same. Didn’t want to sink. Wanted to live, granny. Made friends with water. […]”

Certainly, it is obvious that Aytbekova wants to express her love of life with her post. Many encourage the blogger lady, saying, “Everything will be all right.”39

CAP Fellows Paper 221 14 such as a disabled boy living in majority of their content may go Kyrgyz-Turkish). a train car, a pensioner in a rural viral, provoking broader discus- area earning 10,000 soms dai- sions. There are even some cases At AUCA, English is the main lan- ly, a cockfighter who won a car where the state administration guage of instruction. Undergrad- in a competition in a neighbor- has resolved problems following uate students receive both Kyrgyz ing town, a couple that has been social media discussions. and U.S. diplomas. The journal- working in the same school for 30 ism departments of BHU and years, a village kindergarten be- Lack of Professional KNU are divided into two sec- ing furnished, etc., are prevalent Training tions: one Kyrgyz, one Russian. on Turmush.kg. At KNU, lectures are delivered in All the issues discussed above Kyrgyz and Russian, respectively; To summarize, as mentioned imply that journalism faculties at BHU, lectures and literature above, the self-presentation of at universities are not necessarily are usually given in Russian, but online news portals is often mis- successful in their goal of training the Kyrgyz group has the option leading. Although they promise professional journalists. In total, to answer questions and partici- analytical and diversified content seven universities teach journal- pate in class discussions using the with accessible language, they fre- ism in Kyrgyzstan (see Figure Kyrgyz language. quently fall short of keeping those 10).30 The majority of the higher promises. What they usually offer educational institutions prepar- Students in KRU’s journalism de- to the audience is: content based ing journalists are based in Bish- partment study in Russian. KRU on one or no sources (resulting in kek, with State University the issues two diplomas, one Kyrgyz heavily biased articles); articles only provincial institution that and one Russian. The same is without authors; social media re- still has a journalism faculty. De- true at KTU, one of the biggest posts; press releases in difficult pending on the type of university universities in Kyrgyzstan: grad- language; and sensational crime (private, national, international), uates receive one Kyrgyz diploma stories. But on one point they the language of instruction var- and one Turkish one. KTU’s jour- prove to be successful, namely ies. Some faculties offer courses nalism department is bilingual, “promot[ing] discussion and re- only in Kyrgyz, Russian, or En- with lectures delivered in Kyrgyz ceiv[ing] greater visibility and glish, while other programs are and Turkish equally. audience on social media.” The bilingual (Kyrgyz-Russian and

Figure 10. Journalism faculties at universities in Kyrgyzstan

# Journalism Faculties Students for Language Type 2019-2020 academic year 1 American University of Central Asia 45 English Private (AUCA) 2 Bishkek Humanities University (BHU) 165 Kyrgyz, Russian State 3 International Kuwait University (IKU) 93 Kyrgyz Private 4 Kyrgyz National University (KNU) 284 Kyrgyz, Russian State 5 Kyrgyz-Russian University (KRU) 136 Russian State 6 Kyrgyz-Turkish University (KTU) 364 Kyrgyz, Turkish State 7 Osh State University (OSU) 66 Kyrgyz State

Source: Author’s survey and compilation

CAP Fellows Paper 221 15 One can tentatively conclude sponse, one of the Union’s main Kyrgyzstan. One of them, called that (state) universities’ educa- activities has been to work with Original Kyrgyz Journalism tion system remains outdated, as Kyrgyz-speaking students and School, seemed to be addressing it consists of heavily theoretical journalists to improve the qual- all the problems in the current lectures. Practical skills are hard- ity of undergraduate journalism wave of online media. Without ly taught, which may produce training. indicating the duration of the a disconnect between college program, it promised to teach (in knowledge and the reality on the How Can the Quality Kyrgyz) the mission of journalists, ground when graduates enter the of Kyrgyz-Language the “secrets to becoming the best media industry. Journalism Be Improved? journalist,” effective writing skills, and new directions According to Abahon Sultonaza- No government organs control in journalism. Prominent rov, Regional Director of IWPR and monitor whether new and journalists—among them Marat in Central Asia, professional traditional media comply with the Tokoev, Jyrgalbek Kasabolotov, journalists are often graduates of journalistic code of ethics. In the and Daniyar Isanov—were listed faculties other than journalism. event of libel or defamation, the as instructors. However, these Journalism faculties, he says, supposed victim can ask the mass types of courses are not delivered have long been in need of im- media to refute the information on a consistent basis and remain provement: and/or can file a lawsuit against on a small scale. the outlet. Good journalists did not graduate Another institution, Kloop Media from journalism faculties. They To respond to these issues, the Foundation (linked to the online studied philology, history. Among Commission for Complaints media outlet Kloop.kg), has been them, it is rare to find individuals who on Mass Media was created on organizing journalism courses graduated from journalism faculties. the initiative of local journalists (paid and free of charge) for the This is true not only for Kyrgyzstan, but for all Central Asian countries, and has been operational past 10 years. The media company because journalism faculties focus since 2007. Its decisions are believes it is possible to become a more on TV journalism. Print not legally binding but aim to journalist without studying at a journalists are very rare.31 publicly denounce mass media journalism faculty. Therefore, it that violate journalistic ethics. focuses more on applied journal- Two vivid examples of the truth The Commission acts according ism and offers its students the op- in this view are Marat Tokoev to the code of journalistic ethics portunity to practice journalism, and Mars Tölögönov. Neither of adopted during a 2007 congress but only after six days of theoret- them studied journalism as un- of journalists. The Commission ical training. During in-class and dergraduates, yet both are now includes 10 to 15 people with practical sessions, it emphasizes prominent media instructors in backgrounds in journalism as journalistic professionalism, in- Kyrgyzstan. They entered the well as the private and public cluding providing a balance of journalism field in the late 1990s sectors. They consider only the views, impartiality, and transpar- and have worked in all spheres complaints they receive and do ency. Its website serves as a publi- of the country’s mass media (TV, not monitor the mass media’s cation platform for the news ma- radio, print and online media). compliance with the code of terials of its participants. Courses Between 2006 and 2016, Tokoev ethics. range in length from one month chaired the Public Union of Jour- to three months and are offered nalists; he remains a member of Journalism schools and courses both in Kyrgyz and in Russian. the union’s board. Tölögönov is could become a central place now chair of the Union. In sepa- where the issues faced by Besides Kloop, there are other rate interviews, both Tokoev and mass media are addressed. In local and international organi- Tölögönov emphasized the low February 2019 alone, there were zations that organize journalism level of education in journalism two different announcements courses or work with journalists. faculties in Kyrgyzstan. In re- of journalism trainings in These include Internews and

CAP Fellows Paper 221 16 IWPR, among others. IWPR has is one page. Now, 800-900 words quality of journalism. However, been operating in Central Asia are enough; more is too much. It is their focus is often on engaging since establishing its Bishkek bu- a problem. It should be upgraded the Russian-speaking journalism with a new curriculum and new reau in 1999. It has been support- 32 world, whereas it should be on ing local reporters, citizen jour- approaches. […] journalists writing in the national nalists, and civil society activists languages of Central Asia. Almas Almas Turdumamatov, a media by providing them with various Turdumamatov explains: expert from Kyrgyzstan who trainings. As Abahon Sultonaza- has been working in the media rov explained, in its first decade of Many international media sphere since 1995, agrees with work, his organization conducted organizations conducted most of Sultonazarov that journalists trainings and published articles their trainings for journalists in write too much. However, he in Russian only, excluding the Russian. Of late, they are trying suggests that this has improved to conduct the trainings in Kyrgyz Kyrgyz (or other Central Asian since the 1990s, when the practice too, but the new formats and national) language journalists. was most widespread: technologies are taught by Russian- He says this was a shortcoming/ speaking instructors. [...] I asked omission (upushchenie) of the During the independence years, Internews why journalists from the program. From 2008 onwards, the Kyrgyz-language journalists regions should be trained in Russian, IWPR began to incorporate na- considered themselves writers. of which they do not have a good tive languages into its program They used to bring 10-page articles. command; why the effectiveness and educate instructors in Kyr- In order to make the print media and accessibility of trainings was not gyz language. IWPR organized language accessible, the new style taken into account. They answered a Training of Trainers in Kyrgyz was adopted. If I am not mistaken, that they did not have experts with Kyrgyz language skills. But when the so that they could conduct train- it was Asaba. They introduced trainings were conducted in English ings in the provinces. The partic- the spoken Kyrgyz language to newspapers. It really affected the or in other European languages, ipants were practicing journalists we were offered a translator into and editors. As Sultonazarov ex- print media readership. The number of big materials that occupied 4-5 Russian language. Why they did not plained, “There was a necessity pages decreased and short pieces do the same with Kyrgyz-language for that. It was a time when we were produced instead. On the other trainees is another issue. [...] One started to see our first results. hand, when they introduced this might claim that Kyrgyz-language They conducted trainings, wrote style, it was accompanied by printing mass media are not interested in new stories, and edited in Kyrgyz, and unverified information. I do not skills. They might be right. But their translated into Kyrgyz.” remember when exactly it started; it announcements are all still released needs additional research. However, in Russian. I think it also might be a language barrier for Kyrgyz-language He added that IWPR’s next materials based on rumors started to appear more and more. It was a journalists. [...] If we consider that project will focus on journalism Kyrgyz-language mass media have faculties in Central Asia: model for other new print media; as a result, they also deployed this style problems, shortcomings, then the in their publications. In my opinion, international organizations should In our new project, we want to work our newspapers usually publish address them, work with them, with the teachers in order for them to 34 information without cross-checking, improve their level. work with the students. […] If we work based on what they heard, [leading directly with the teachers and deans, to facts that] are closer to rumors. Many Kyrgyz-language online and conduct trainings for them, they This style still has impact and is media publish low-quality get education, qualifications. We will being exported to social and online articles that often do not comply provide them with a curriculum to media.33 use in their classes. […] The teachers with journalistic principles do not meet the requirements of such as fairness, accuracy, and the new realities. They lag behind Conclusion professional ethics. Low-quality on innovational approaches, social journalism has other implications, media, new media, visualization, The international media too. As Turdumamatov notes, the storytelling, data journalism. They organizations that are operating in existence of such media outlets still write 20 pages; one paragraph Central Asia work to improve the indicates that they are supported

CAP Fellows Paper 221 17 and financed by figures who information, how to cross-check Notes have an interest in influencing information, etc. These skills are public opinion, and therefore essential in an era of information 1 Abahon Sultonazarov, personal that the critical issue of media abundance. Young journalists interview with the author, independence remains to be should learn to capture issues Washington, DC, March 2019. 2 The report looks at five aspects: addressed: vital to the country and not Free Speech, Professional overlook social, economic, Journalism, Plurality of News The independence of mass media and political problems on the Sources, Business Management, depends on what you mean by the ground, such as “reminding” and Supporting Institutions. These mass media—whether it is a business authorities to provide rural areas are scored on a scale from one to or an organization with social with clean water, to prevent four, where one corresponds to responsibilities and duties. Who is maternal mortality, to improve Unsustainable Anti-Free Press, two establishing the mass media and the level of education, and so on. to Unsustainable Mixed System, for what purpose? In our country, three to Near Sustainability, and four the mass media are created by Understandably, the desire to be the first to break a news story is to Sustainable. politicians or those with close ties 3 IREX, “Media Sustainability Index with politicians. Their purpose is widespread among journalists— 2018,” accessed July 6, 2019, https:// not to earn revenue; their goal is to but it should not be allowed to www.irex.org/sites/default/files/ influence public opinion. [...] We compromise the quality, accuracy, pdf/media-sustainability-index- do not have an advertising market and impartiality of journalism. europe-eurasia-2018-full.pdf. sufficient to support the mass media. 4 We Are Social, “Digital in 2018 in Despite this, many TV channels Acknowledgments Central Asia,” January 29, 2018, continue to operate. To the best of accessed April 17, 2019, https://www. my knowledge, most TV channels I would like to thank Rabia slideshare.net/wearesocial/digital- are linked to a particular [group of] in-2018-in-central-asia-86866176. 35 Ashiralieva, who participated in politicians. 5 the data collection. I also thank my M-Vector, “Media predpochteniia naseleniia Kyrgyzstana,” Internews, With a population of just 6 million, advisors Marlene Laruelle, Scott December 14, 2017, http:// Kyrgyzstan’s media sector has Morgan, David Abramson, and internews.kg/glavnye-novosti/ limited financial possibilities: the Christopher Kojm at the Central issledovanie-mediapredpochteniya- media market generates around Asia Program, Elliott School of naseleniya-kyrgyzstana-8-ya-volna- $19 million per year.36 This has the International Affairs, The George 2017-god/. 6 knock-on effect that journalists Washington University. Anna Vorobeva, Aynura rarely challenge their employer Eshalieva, Begaim Usenova, and Ruslan Rahimov, “Otchet and defend their independence. po itogam issledovaniia urovnia “When signing a contract with the mediagramotnosti v Kyrgyzskoi employer, the journalists should Respublike,” 2018, accessed make it clear that they comply with April 17, 2019, http://soros.kg/ ethical standards and principles wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ of journalism. But again, because Otchet-po-itogam-issledovaniya- of financial constraints, the mediagramotnosti-v-KR.pdf. journalists are less likely to 7 Ibid. 8 put forward their conditions,” Zamira Derbisheva, “Iazikovaia Tölögönov indicates.37 politika i iazikovaia situatsiia v Kyrgyzstane,” Russian Language Journal 59, (2009): 49-58, http:// Yet even under such conditions, rlj.americancouncils.org/issues/59/ international media organizations files/Derbisheva_2009.pdf. should continue to teach young 9 “Mavlyanova: Mamlekettik journalists the basic principles til sayasati chabal bolup jatat of journalism: how to prepare (video),” Azattyk.org, January questions, how to interview, how 24, 2019, https://www.azattyk. to find the source of a piece of org/a/29727802.html.

CAP Fellows Paper 221 18 10 “Orus tilinin rasmiy makamin accessed April 17, 2019, http://tms. Satibaldievdin chala sabattigi söz joyush üchün referendum ötkörüü kg/radiouk/. eerchitti,” Kyrgyztoday.org, March sunushtaluuda,” Azattyk.org, 22 National Union of Radio and TV 25, 2019, https://kyrgyztoday.org/ January 15, 2019, https://www. Broadcasting, “Spisok telekanalov,” news_ky/kyyanbek-satybaldievdin- azattyk.org/a/29710747.html. accessed April 17, 2019, https://bit. chala-sabattygy-soz-eerchitti/. 11 Abdil-Ahat Kurban uulu, ly/2CBhFYY. 29 Adina Sagimbekova, “Chinibay “Kirgizstanda kirgiz tilin 23 Expert Consulting Agency, kuulugun aygineledi,” Kyrgyztoday. ögöylöböylü,” Azattyk.org, “Analiz iazika veshaniia i org, March 26, 2019, https:// February 17, 2019, https://www. proizdodstva kontenta teleprogram kyrgyztoday.org/news_ky/ azattyk.org/a/kyrgyz_language_ v Kyrgyzstane,” accessed April chynybaj-kuulugun-ajgineledi/. low/29769846.html. 17, 2019, http://www.media.kg/ 30 As of March 2019. This 12 Sapar Orozbakov, “Mama til, papa wp-content/uploads/2018/01/ information was provided to me as meken,” Azattyk.org, August 1, 2016, presentation.pdf. an official response to my request for https://www.azattyk.org/a/kyrgyz- 24 M-Vector, “Media information. language-economics/27891546. predpochteniia naseleniia 31 Abahon Sultonazarov, personal html. Kyrgyzstana.” interview with the author, 13 Daniyar Mukambetov, “O roli 25 Peter Leonard, “US-Funded Washington, DC, March 2019. i znachenii russkogo iazika dlia Broadcaster Under Scrutiny for 32 Ibid. Kyrgyzstana,” http://www.nisi. Enabling Tajikistan’s Strongman 33 Almas Turdumamatov, personal kg/112-stati/467-o-roli-i-znachenii- Rule,” Eurasianet.org, March interview with the author, Bishkek, russkogo-yazyka-dlya-kyrgyzstana. 26, 2019, https://eurasianet.org/ December 2018. html. us-funded-broadcaster-under- 34 Ibid. 14 Derbisheva, “Iazikovaia politika.” scrutiny-for-enabling-tajikistans- 35 Ibid. 15 Sere Chalkanova, “Govorit po strongman-rule; Jessica Donati, 36 Akchabar, “Reklamnii rynok kirgizski—eto modno!” Elgezit. “U.S. Broadcaster Under Scrutiny Kyrgyzstana otsenivaetsia v $19 mln kg, January 28, 2019, https:// for Disseminating Autocratic v god—issledovanie,” April 25, 2019, elgezit.kg/2019/01/28/govorit-po- Propaganda,” The Wall Street https://www.akchabar.kg/ru/news/ kyrgyzski-eto-modno. Journal, April 25, 2019, https://www. media-ads-2019/. 16 Oljobay Shakir, “Kirgiz tilin wsj.com/articles/u-s-broadcaster- 37 Mars Tölögönov, personal kiyratuunun massalik masshtaby,” under-scrutiny-for-disseminating- interview with the author, Bishkek, Azattyk.org, December 11, 2019, propaganda-11556184602. December 2018. https://www.azattyk.org/a/ 26 Baktibek Ergeshov, “Babirbek 38 “Ahmatbek Keldibekov menen Isa kyrgyzstan_books_oljobai_ Jeenbekovdu akirki saparga Ömürkulov akisiz burger jegenge shakir/29649607.html. uzatuu ziynatina Atambaevdin barishti,” Barometr.kg, March 17 Shayloobek Düsheev, on kolu Farid Niyazov da keldi,” 26, 2019, https://barometr.kg/ “Jookerdi ‘sarbaz’ debeyli,” Azattyk. Kyrgyztoday.org, March 25, ahmatbek-keldibekov-menen-isa- org, August 25, 2018, https://www. 2019, https://kyrgyztoday.org/ mrkulov-akysyz-burger-zhegenge- azattyk.org/a/shailoobek-duisheev- news_ky/babyrbek-zheenbekovdu- baryshty. blog-/29447128.html. akyrky-saparga-uzatuu-zyjnatyna- 39 Atirgül Muhammatkulova, “Nazira 18 Shayloobek Düsheev, atambaevdin-on-kolu-fyrid-niyazov- Aytbekov, ‘Eteñim emne boloorun “Türmö emes kürmö, cherik da-keldi/. kim bilsin?! Birok taarinichim emes sherik,” Azattyk.org, June 27 Baktibek Ergeshov, “Taarinip taradi’,” Barometr.kg, March 25, 27, 2017, https://www.azattyk. rezidentsiyadan chigip ketken 2019, https://barometr.kg/nazira- org/a/kyrgyzstan_soz_daira_ Atambaev emi Putindin kelishine ajtbekova-erteim-emne-boloorun- duisheev_2017/28577057.html. karata kayra rezidentsiyaga köchüp kim-bilsin-birok-taarynychym- 19 As of February 2019. This kelem dep julunup jatiptir,” tarady. information was provided to me as Kyrgyztoday.org, March 26, 2019, an official response to my request for https://kyrgyztoday.org/news_ky/ information. dosuna-taarynyp-rezidentsiyadan- 20 SMI Help Center, “Redaktsii gazet chygyp-ketken-atambaev-emi- Kyrgyzstana,” accessed April 17, putindin-kelishine-karata-kajra- 2019, http://msc.kg/ru/partnery/ rezidentsiyaga-kochup-kelem-dep- redakcii-gazet-kyrgyzstana/. zhulunup-zhatyptyr/. 21 Tinchtiktin Monitoring Service, 28 Adina Sagimbekova, “Kiyanbek

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