The MediaCAMP-2023 festival, dedicated to promoting quality journalism, commenced in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on June 1. The event, spanning two days, brought together over 300 participants, including journalists, bloggers, media managers, journalism students, and public figures from various countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and others.
Under the theme "Media of Central Asia: Past, Present, Future," this year's festival aims to explore the role of media in both the Central Asian region and the broader CIS space. Discussions will encompass topics such as the historical context of Central Asian media, decolonization, journalist safety, artificial intelligence, and other significant subjects relevant to the region. The festival will culminate with the MediaCAMP Award competition, which received an impressive 652 applications from journalists this year.
During the festival's opening ceremony, Marat Bigaliev, head of Internews' representative office in Central Asia, highlighted the evolution of the event, noting that the presence of 33 mentors and experts, with 31 hailing from Central Asian countries, demonstrates a shift away from relying predominantly on foreign experts as seen in the early editions.
Robin Mardus, director of the USAID Democracy and Health Office in Central Asia, emphasized the importance of understanding the historical context to appreciate, analyze, and adapt to the present state of media, including the influence of modern digital trends. Mardus also underlined the significance of accurate information dissemination in countering the detrimental impact of fake news, particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.
USAID advocates for media literacy and the development of ethical journalism, collaborating with participants to produce numerous materials on critical events.
The MediaCAMP-2023 festival serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, skill development, and fostering a vibrant media landscape in Central Asia, equipping media professionals with the tools needed to navigate future challenges and opportunities.
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