Lola Ilamova, head of Center for Development of Contemporary Journalism of Uzbekistan NGO, believes that only economically successful media can be truly independent. She stated this today during a teleconference on the topic «Media Solidarity Network: Support for the Media Sector of Kyrgyzstan».
According to Lola Ilamova, the economic insolvency of the media is a weak point and a lever of pressure on journalists.
«In addition, the authorities can also put pressure on the oligarchs not to publish their advertisements in inconvenient media. In general, the state of the media is chaotic in the region. Lack of resources, time, low-quality journalism lead to the fact that they are under pressure through the police and the courts,» she said.
In turn, a media expert from the UK, Maria Ordzhonikidze, noted that the attack on free media, which is currently observed in Kyrgyzstan, cannot but worry. «Pressure in the republic has increased more than three times. This suggests that a serious threat looms over freedom of speech,» she added.
