Five reasons why Kyrgyzstan’s blogging should develop
This is a translated excerpt of Misulzhan’s post from the Kyrgyz-language NewEurasia
Let me name five points:
1. Freedom of speech
2. Alternative power to mass media
3. Development of political culture/democratic values
4. Social network
5. Fast internetization process
1. Freedom of speech. Because of rapid development of Internet, the states now do not know how to resist to the users of the global network. The new power is emerging and it spreads the flow of information and evidence that usual mass media is restricted to do. These people are the source of the freedom and they are called bloggers. In authoritarian states bloggers exist anonymously and under different nicknames, and thus they are the only source of objective information. This is the most positive achievement and impact that Internet has today. In this perspective, blogging is the key tool of protection and freedom of speech promotion.
2. Alternative power to mass media. As I said before, bloggers to some extent play the role of the mass media and thus become citizen journalists. Usually there is no censoring, editing and that’s why blogs are more objective as people express their ideas and opinions. In Kyrgyzstan there are only few international radio stations and online newspapers and there is a lack of objective and unbiased information. This is the reason why users of the internet use blogs, create free accounts and then write and form their audience and present them various types of information and discussions.
3. Emergence of political culture and democratic values. Since the freedom of speech and alternative source to mass media is emerging, the political culture and democratic values are also on their way to develop opening doors for democratic institutions. Bolggers are from spreading incorrect information as they care for their own reputation and image. Best model for Kyrgyzstan, isn’t it?
4. Social networking. The most important thing about social networking is that users of the global net from Kyrgyzstan can contact each other, observe what are the issues that dominate the society and learn other people’s ideas and opinions. Thus, people can rationally evaluate current events of the society and this allows achieving a certain decision. So, the function of the social networking is also important to our country (!)
5. Fast internetization process. It is obvious that this kind of function of blogging is very important. More and more people rely on truthful and objective information on the Internet, and this leads to increase of the number of internet users and the process of internetization grows rapidly.
And what do you think?
on October 15th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Blogging is developing already, mainly by students of universities and people who can afford it (the same people???).
I also do not see (in KG) that there are restrictions (censor)at this moment on blogging or sites on the internet. But maybe I am wrong?
But as far as I could see in the internetcafes I have been, where also the common people can have access to the internet, only young people with interest for porn were behind the computers there.
But you have to start somewhere.
on October 16th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Hello Johan, glad to see you online
Yes, you are right, at the moment there are no restrictions on blogging or sites on the internet whatsoever. There are many sites and forums where people openly speak up, critisize government officials and just freely express their opinions without being afraid of anything.
About internet cafes, many young people go there for fun and entertainment, like chatting and meeting new virtual people, watching movies and videos, and yes porn as well:)
on October 16th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
I am really happy that we (still) don’t have any restructions on internet. But, everything is possible. At this time most of the TV channels (almost all), radio stations and newspapers are loyal to President. That means, Internet became the one “truly” source. I cannot imagine myself living in a village, watching only KTR (so-called public channel, but actually it is ProPresidential) and without internet. But most of the people do it, and we see negative results: people cannot make independent opinion, as they watch only “State Propagandas”. Imagine?
Also, it is necessery to add, our parliamentarians were going to accept a law, which would help for the Government to have a legal Control on Internet and its commentaries. It is awful!
on October 16th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
By the way, Asel, many thanks for your efforts on translating my post! Thank you again!
on October 20th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Hello Mirsulzhan,
Is it right that your government are to accepting a law about restriction of the internet? Is it already effective or is it only a proposition now?