Fast Facts RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service is one of the most trusted sources of news and information in Kyrgyzstan, especially at times of political turmoil. Azattyk's reports are regularly cited and reprinted by local and regional media. Language: Kyrgyz Coverage: 6 hours of radio broadcasting daily, plus two weekly TV shows on local private TV channels Established: 1953 Distribution: Radio (FM, SW, Satellite, Internet); Internet (www.azattyk.kg, www.azattyk.org, and Facebook at: www.azattykplus.kg), TV Local affiliates: 9 radio and 2 TV affiliates in various cities and towns across the country Locations: Prague headquarters, Bishkek Staff: 8 in Prague, 24 in Bishkek, 36 stringers in Kyrgyzstan and abroad

Media Environment

• Freedom House Freedom of the Press Index, 2010: Not Free (159th/196)
• Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, 2009: 125th/175
• State censorship and self-censorship by media outlets continues to be a problem in Kyrgyzstan. Media outlets that report unfavorably on government officials or their relatives are often sued for slander and forced to pay exorbitant fines, discouraging the creation of private and opposition media outlets. Radio Azattyk was barred from the only nationwide TV and FM radio affiliate (UTRK) for a year due to a politically motivated decision by the state-owned TV company.

Highlights

• In April 2010, Radio Azattyk’s coverage of the massive, violent protests against the Bakiev government were widely reported in major international news outlets.
• Radio Azattyk was the recipient of numerous awards in 2009, collecting more than 12 honors from various newspapers, agencies and non-governmental organizations.
• On August 31, 2009, the Kyrgyz Service re-launched two popular weekly TV shows after a year-long absence from local television channels due to a ban by the state-owned TV company. This time, the shows are aired by local private TV companies in Bishkek and Osh. Radio Azattyk’s programs are also broadcast on a number of private FM stations.
• During the 2009 presidential election, Azattyk was at the forefront of providing comprehensive and unbiased coverage. In some cases it was the first or the only broadcaster to the report on arrests of opposition activists.
• In December 2008, the Kyrgyz Ombudsman Institute awarded Radio Azattyk with an award for its contribution to the protection of human rights in Kyrgyzstan.
• Radio Azattyk’s activities have been highlighted and praised in the post-Soviet Kyrgyz Encyclopedia and modern Kyrgyz history books. Museums and libraries in the country have devoted exhibitions to Radio Azattyk. Several staffers and stringers have received awards from the Kyrgyz state bodies in 2005-2008 for their contributions to cultural life in the country.

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Population
5.3 million (World Bank estimate, 2008)

Most Common Languages:
Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Russian, Dungun

Press Freedom Index (Freedom House):
Not Free, ranked 125 out of 196 (2010)

Press Freedom Index (RSF):
142 out of 175 (2010)

Corruption Index (Transparency Int.):
105 out of 178 (2010)

Human Rights Watch:
Report on Kyrgystan (2010)

Amnesty International:
Kyrgystan Report (2009)