IREX Keeps Citizens Connected during Kyrgyzstan's Revolution

Throughout the events leading up to, and even in the midst of Kyrgyzstan's recent revolution, IREX, through its Internet Access and Training Program (IATP), played a crucial role in strengthening communication among the Kyrgyzstani populace by holding online nationwide discussions and by providing access to reliable media outlets.

On March 18, IREX Internet access sites across the country conducted an online forum on the recent parliamentary elections for local media representatives, observers from local and international NGOs, and alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programs. These discussions centered on the political atmosphere after the controversial February 27 first-round campaign and the March 13 run-off election. The chat participants discussed the violations during both elections, censorship of oppositional viewpoints, biased media, the people’s reaction to the violations, and the difficulties journalists faced during the campaigns and elections.

On March 24 and 25, IREX’s free Internet access helped journalists, alumni, and other users throughout Kyrgyzstan to fill the void of reliable and objective information sources by allowing them access to multiple online news sources in order to get up-to-date reports during the seizure of the country’s government buildings, the unofficial change in presidency, and the chaos that ensued. The national TV station was the only source of news for many residents, since other channels avoided the events by broadcasting movies or stopped broadcasting altogether. Despite the dangers of looting in many regions, six Internet access sites remained open throughout the events, and alumni and NGO representatives in Bishkek were able dial-up from home to IREX’s free Internet access. Users in other parts of the country received good coverage of the events by crowding into access centers to view credible news sites on the Web. The unexpected change in government led to several unreliable reports and rumors being passed around. In Kara-Balta, Tatyana Olhovskaya, a journalist from Tatina Media Resource Center, found the latest updates from local online news agencies, such as Kabar and Akipress. She relayed her findings to Tatina Radio, which broadcasts to approximately 200,000 listeners. In addition, Maksim Kuleshov, coordinator of the Human Rights Resource Center in Tokmok, developed and posted a website including pictures he took of pro-government and pro-opposition meetings, the White House seizure, and consequences of the looting from March 22 to 26 in Bishkek.

The people of Kyrgyzstan are gaining a greater understanding of events in and around their country that affect their lives as they become more connected to the Internet. Throughout the recent crisis, IREX’s IATP Internet sites proved to be a vital part in allowing people’s voices to be heard and giving citizens access to unbiased news during a time when the future of their democracy was at stake.