Daiyrbek Orunbekov, head of the Information Policy Service of the Presidential Administration, met with the Acting Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau. Press service of the Cabinet reported.
The meeting was attended by the U.S. Charge d’Affaires ad interim in the Kyrgyz Republic Sonata Coulter and the Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy Brian Bachman.
The parties discussed a number of issues of bilateral cooperation in the field of information, including the development of freedom of speech, and mass media.
The head of the Information Policy Service told about a recent trip to the villages of Batken region affected by the armed aggression of Tajikistan by representatives of the diplomatic corps, international organizations accredited in the republic, as well as foreign and domestic media.
He stressed that Kyrgyzstan rose seven lines up in the annual World Press Freedom Index in 2022, taking the 72nd place, and added that this was the result of the policy of the head of state, his attitude to freedom of speech.
Daiyrbek Orunbekov also touched upon the new version of the media law, which has been submitted for public discussion.
«The previous law was adopted in 1992 and is obsolete. The new version of the document reflects today’s challenges and requirements and is in no way aimed at pressure or restriction of freedom of speech,» he said.
Recall, representatives of the Media Policy Institute strongly recommend the authors to withdraw the document, arguing that it is directed against independent media.
In turn, the Acting Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau expressed condolences to the families of killed in Batken and stressed the importance of partnership between the two states.
«You have provided open access for the press, diplomatic missions, international organizations. We appreciate the measured, calm approach that Kyrgyzstan has taken to preserve regional stability,» she said, conveying greetings from the U.S. President Joe Biden and the U.S. Secretary of State.
Kyrgyzstan is a bright light in the region in terms of media freedom.
Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau
Following the meeting, the parties agreed to continue cooperation in terms of exchanging experience and training employees of government agencies.
