Uzbekistan hosts OSCE forum on media literacy across Central Asia

A regional OSCE roundtable held in Tashkent showcased how media literacy can help prevent youth radicalization and violent extremism. The event brought together journalists, civil society actors, researchers, and young professionals from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan to discuss practical strategies for navigating online information safely.

Organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Journalists’ Retraining Centre, the forum explored approaches ranging from counter-narratives to AI-driven tools. Gender-sensitive methods were also emphasized, highlighting ways to empower and protect young women online.

Participants shared successful regional initiatives, hands-on techniques for fact-checking, and ethical reporting practices. They also examined how collaboration between media and civil society can strengthen youth resilience and introduced new tools to combat disinformation and harmful online content. The event culminated in the launch of a regional expert network designed to continue sharing best practices in preventing violent extremism and terrorism.

“In today’s digital world, distinguishing fact from disinformation is becoming increasingly difficult. As the most active users of the internet, young people are particularly vulnerable to false information. That’s why media literacy must serve as a shield to protect them. If young people bring a culture of critical thinking to their families and friends, the resilience of society will be strengthened,” said Ambassador Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.

The roundtable also sparked discussions on the influence of social media trends, influencers, and AI-generated content on youth perceptions. Participants agreed that understanding these dynamics is essential for designing effective prevention strategies.

By the conclusion of the forum, attendees had gained practical tools, inspiring strategies, and regional connections to support ongoing efforts in youth engagement, critical thinking, and safe media practices across Central Asia.

This roundtable follows a series of media literacy courses previously organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator and the Journalists’ Retraining Centre across Uzbekistan. These courses equipped journalists and bloggers with skills to critically assess information, detect disinformation, and analyze fake news.