The main goal of the event was to enhance journalists’ knowledge and practical skills regarding safe working practices in emergency situations, during crises, and when covering events of public significance.
Today, journalists face various risks and threats when covering events of public significance, emergencies, mass gatherings, and other crisis situations. Working in disaster zones, exposure to information and digital threats, and psychological pressure make the issue of ensuring the safety of media representatives particularly relevant. In addition, female journalists may face additional risks related to gender-specific factors.
During the training, participants learned about the basic principles of working safely in emergency situations, preliminary risk assessment, protecting themselves and their teams, ensuring the security of data and personal accounts, using secure digital communication tools, and effective collaboration and communication in crisis situations.
The training was led by Daniyar Alimbayev, an expert in high technology, IT project management, and building secure cloud infrastructure, as well as Abdisharip Bekilov, former head of the press service at the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic and an expert in crisis communications. The experts shared their practical experience and, together with the participants, discussed protocols for journalists’ actions during emergencies, methods for ensuring information security, and ways to minimize risks.
The training was conducted in an interactive format. Participants completed practical exercises and analyzed case studies related to working in emergency and crisis situations.
The project “Sustainable Media: Strengthening Journalist Safety in Kyrgyzstan” aims to promote the safe and sustainable work of journalists, improve their professional training, and foster a culture of safety in the media environment.
The project is implemented by the “Journalists” Public Association. Activities under the project are carried out with financial support from UNESCO’s International Program for the Development of Communication (IPDC).
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/training-session-aimed-improving-safety-journalists-was-held-bishkek?hub=701
