Conference of women media professionals from Central Asia held in Tashkent

The Second Central Asian International Conference of Women Media Professionals, titled “Regional Solidarity, Digital Security and an Inclusive Future for Journalism,” was held in Tashkent on 14–15 September. It brought together more than 100 women journalists, editors, media managers, digital content creators, experts and human rights defenders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Participants discussed challenges that are increasingly shared across Central Asia’s media community, including legal pressure on journalists and newsrooms, digital attacks, doxing and online harassment, the development of artificial intelligence and deepfakes, professional burnout, and the financial sustainability of media outlets.

One of the central topics was legal protection for journalists and newsrooms. The plenary discussion “Legal Protection of Newsrooms and Media Businesses” was moderated by Kazakhstani media lawyer Gulmira Birzhanova. Representatives from across the region spoke about legislative restrictions and other legal risks journalists face in their work, and discussed possible changes to legislation.

Kazakhstani journalist Ainur Koskina called for the decriminalisation of Article 274 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan — “Dissemination of Knowingly False Information.” She also drew attention to new restrictions on journalists’ work in the Kurultai, including reduced opportunities to move freely around the building and speak with members of parliament in the corridors.

Proposals from participants from other Central Asian countries included introducing a mandatory pre-trial procedure for handling complaints concerning journalistic publications and shifting liability for certain claims from individual journalists to media organisations.

Journalists from Kazakhstan also took an active part in other conference sessions. Zhaniya Urankayeva participated in a discussion on cyberstalking, doxing and online attacks, Marina Nizovkina spoke about women’s leadership in the media, while Aisana Ashim, co-founder and CEO of The Steppe, The Village and Batyrzhamal, led a workshop on sustainable newsroom management and business models during times of crisis.

The conference continued the regional cooperation launched in 2024, when a Memorandum establishing the Coalition of Women Journalists of Central Asia was signed in Dushanbe. In Tashkent, participants discussed the Coalition’s future work, mechanisms for professional mutual support, and joint projects involving media outlets and journalists from across the region.

One of the practical outcomes of the meeting was work on a Unified Regional Guide to Gender-Sensitive Journalism. In working groups, participants discussed professional and ethical approaches that Central Asian newsrooms could use when covering gender-related issues.

The conference was hosted by the Modern Journalism Development Center of the Republic of Uzbekistan (MJDC), with the National Coalition of Women Journalists of Tajikistan serving as the key regional partner. The event was held with the participation and support of national and international partners, including European Union institutions, the OSCE and UNESCO, as well as the Embassy of Switzerland in Uzbekistan.