OVERVIEW
Media-K strengthens the professionalism and vibrancy of local, independent media so that citizens have greater access to diverse, fact-based and balanced information.
GOALS
Building on the successes of the previous Media-K initiative (2017-2022), the project works to increase the viability, professionalism, and vibrancy of independent Kyrgyz media by:
- Strengthening the financial sustainability of independent regional Kyrgyz-language media
- Funding production of high-quality and engaging local content in the Kyrgyz language
- Expanding the availability of high-quality journalism and reporting in the Kyrgyz language
- Training journalists and other media professionals
- Convening the media community at an annual forum, Media Toptoo
- Supporting the further introduction of TV audience measurement
- Protecting the integrity of the local Kyrgyz information ecosystem
- Advocating for reforms and legal literacy in the media sphere
- Strengthening local resilience to disinformation and misinformation
Media-K supports the Kyrgyz Government in the implementation of the National Development Strategy of the Kyrgyz Republic 2018-2040, the Concept of Information Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic 2021-2025, and the National Gender Strategy.
KEY RESULTS
- Media-K provided training, mentorship, and financial assistance to 15 private TV, radio, and online outlets since 2017 to improve content production, audience engagement, and management. Over the support period, on average, the partners broadcast 13% more local content, grew their audiences by 60%, and increased ad revenues by 6.22%. The project has trained 2,368 media representatives.
- Ahead of the October 2020 parliamentary elections, Media-K ran the social media campaign #PoweroftheVoice to educate and mobilize young voters. The campaign generated 700,000 views across multiple platforms. According to the Central Elections Commission data, 50% of the people who voted in the 2020 elections were under the age of 30, up from 41% in 2017.
- Media-K has strengthened data journalism in the country by training 58 data journalists and setting up data desks at 8 newsrooms. The project’s partners produced 138 data-based publications on critical social issues. For example, Kloop Media’s investigation on gender-based violence in Kyrgyzstan received an international Sigma Award.
- Media outlets and other content producers have published 4,630 pieces of content with Media-K support. This includes Kyrgyzstan’s most popular TV series ever - Akyrky Sabak (The Last Lesson), a youth-focused show broadcast on the State Television Channel, KTRK, and has been viewed more than 30 million times on YouTube. And a new 10-episode TV series, Agai (Teacher), based on the true story of a teacher from Batken who launched an experimental gymnasium. Films Atasynyn Balasy (Son of the Sun), Burul, Ask, Girls. Space. Equality., A Rain Drop received recognition and awards at international film festivals.
- Media-K supported Kyrgyz Media efforts in troll hunting in social media, aka Kyrgyz Anti-Trolling Investigative Group. Content and accounts that incite violence or other harmful actions were reported to Meta. As a result, the Meta platform has deactivated at least 236 accounts and 1,550 pieces of content.
- Media-K engages women in training opportunities, leverages gender-relevant expertise in content production, and develops special projects dedicated to gender equality, preventing gender-based violence, and empowering women and girls. For example, a series of data stories produced by project-trained journalists helps to analyze and understand the problem of gender-based violence. Another project, a cartoon series titled Kyz Kyyal (Dream of A Girl), encourages positive role models by showing how girls strive in education and sports.
Project Duration: October 2022 - September 2027
Budget: $10 million
Implementing Partner: Freedom House and Internews Kyrgyzstan
Key Partners: Media Policy, Checkit Media, IDEA CA, Kyrgyz Association of Community Media, Salam Media Batken, T-Media
Contact information: Elina Karakulova, ekarakulova@internews.org
