In this episode of Focus, we report from Astana, where media policymakers from across Central Asia gathered to strengthen regional cooperation and tackle global challenges facing the industry.
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00:00We don't so often meet each other, and, of course, today the organization of the media forum has helped us.
00:08We had a work meeting where we discussed about the projects that were made, and about the future of our actions.
00:19Welcome to the second Central Asian Media Forum.
00:36The event kicked off with a warm welcome from the Kazakhstani hosts, greeting media leaders from across Central Asia.
00:43Alongside the main agenda, officials announced the launch of new regional initiatives.
00:48Kazakh Minister of Culture and Information, Aida Balaeva, unveiled plans for a common media platform to be built on the foundation of the Kazakhstani TV channel Silkway.
01:00At the forum, regional media leaders took a major step forward in their negotiations.
01:05Silkway TV is available in six languages, including Kazakh, English, Russian, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, and Turkish.
01:28All parties are confident that the platform can become a unified voice for the entire region.
01:35Our faces, our people are very interested, because human capital is now all over the world, and our scientists, our scientists, our work, our faces, our faces are just on Silkway, and not only Kazakhstan, but also in Central Asia.
01:51Uzbekistani partners confirmed they were already preparing media content for the platform.
01:56They also collaborate regularly with Kazakhstan on media exchange.
02:00This activation is a part of the fact that Uzbekistan is a part of the organization that is the one who is interested in Uzbekistan.
02:16This installation on the forum's sidelines symbolizes the unity of Central Asia's neighboring countries.
02:22Five states closely connected by geography and shared perspectives.
02:26One of the key challenges in the Central Asian region is building a sustainable media environment, one that promotes ethics within the professional community and media literacy among the public, helping protect society from manipulation and fake news.
02:42Now, every user is creating content.
02:47How can you distinguish journalists from bloggers, for example?
02:51So journalists must be very professional.
02:55They must know a lot more than other users of internet or bloggers.
03:03While not a part of Central Asia, Azerbaijan, just across the Caspian Sea, was also among the high-profile guests at the forum.
03:10The country is actively strengthening bilateral ties with Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan is no exception.
03:17With Kazakhstan also, we have signed two memorandums, and we have good cooperation in the field of combating with this information.
03:24And we think that such forums, that platform is very effective for us to discuss our daily problems, challenges in the media field, and how to work together.
03:39The media forum in Astana brought together top media leaders to find contours of a rapidly shifting media landscape.
03:46One of the key panel sessions focused on major issues like the rise of AI in journalism and growing polarization.
03:53Euronews' response to the latter is a forum commitment to neutrality.
03:58That's for me the definition of neutrality, being really interested.
04:01Not only interested in one part or in one perspective all the people are talking about.
04:07Now, is there maybe another perspective?
04:09Is there maybe another fact?
04:10What does affect and being interested in what's really going on?
04:13To show the people as good as possible the reality.
04:17That's what we are driven by, and we hope that's the core business of all our activities.
04:23The second Central Asian Media Forum brought together over 700 local and foreign media professionals and experts.
04:31It's wrapped up with a series of master classes for regional journalists, led by top international outlets, including Euronews, CNN, and independent journalists.
04:41The next step in regional collaboration includes plan to launch a media academy and a dedicated professional award.
04:48Both initiatives aim to strengthen integration and support professional development across the region.
04:54And across the region.