On 28 August 2018 a two day seminar for local journalists, organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, was launched.
Three modules: “General approaches to regulating mass media”, “Freedom of expression and access to information”, “Regulating and self-regulating of mass media” were presented at the seminar.
The agenda included the role of mass media in modern mass media, standards and control mechanisms for television and radio to switch to digital broadcasting, and web-based media outlets.
— Ambassador Natalya Drozd emphasized the significance of the seminar topics in the context of the policy pursued by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov aimed at developing the information environment, establishing print and electronic news outlets, extending the Internet access and facilitating collaboration with foreign media outlets, — the state information agency TDH reported.
Natalya Drozd —Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.Let us recall that in June 2018 the OSCE conducted the training devoted to trends in mass media development whereas the May 2018 seminar focused on new models of broadcasting, in July on rule of law.
Despite numerous training sessions and progress report on media performance made by Deputy Prime Minister overseeing culture and mass media Bakhargul Abdyeva, at the Cabinet session held on 3 August President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov again emphasized “the low quality of programs broadcast by national television and material published in periodicals”.