Kyrgyzstan

Putting the Pieces Together: Common Ground Journalism

SFCG knows that a highly politicized and divisive media can promote violence. But when media focuses on collaborative solutions, it can have a transformative impact on conflict by clarifying issues and changing attitudes – that is, by helping people on different sides of an issue “attack the problem, not the person.” While Kyrgyzstan’s media is free enough to make a significant positive impact on society, many journalists do not have the necessary professional skills and awareness to cover conflict in a responsible and balanced way.

Kabar Ordo

Kabar Ordo uses media to create dialogue (“kabar” means news in Central Asian languages, and “ordo” is a traditional gathering place for nomadic people). It is a two-year project implemented jointly with the Kyrgyzstani NGO Youth of Osh. The project is an ongoing partnership with 8 key media outlets (television, radio and print) organized to produce new kinds of content that highlights diverse perspectives on conflictual issues while suggesting ways to address them.

Unlike much of the current media content, which can be overly politicized and dull, Kabar Ordo’s content is filled with a wide variety of themes that show the human side of the story. Participating journalists, who are predominantly under the age of 25, are pushed to examine their own stereotypes and create work that reflects Kyrgyzstan’s diversity.

Kabar Ordo’s Common Ground Reports are prepared by Kyrgyz, Russian and Uzbek-language journalists. Through these Reports, as well as facilitated dialogues and nationally broadcast talk shows, Kabar Ordo seeks to change public attitudes in a way that encourages conflicting parties to seek constructive solutions together. Kabar Ordo also works with community leaders and policymakers through regular workshops and the publication of reports presenting locally-generated ideas for conflict transformation.