2008 Woodie Awards
Uzbek Journalism Seeks Freedom
Representatives From Uzbekistan Work Hard to Take Home Ideas of Free Press
Lacey C. Smith
Issue date: 10/21/04 Section: Feature
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The signs of free speech and an independent press are all around us - from the "Regime Change '04" sticker on a classmate's notebook to raging political commentaries each day in the paper and heated rallies on television.
Here at the University, we are encouraged to challenge various forms of authority and question their agendas; it is a regular part of our education. Yet so regular is it, that after 228 years of independence, we are so accustomed to our freedom of speech that many pass it up as they would going to the gym that day.
Not all countries struggle against the apathy that comes with the longevity of freedom; a month after the political fury has settled here, and George Bush gets comfortable into his position of lame duck or John Kerry heads home to Boston, another country will be preparing for its first democratic election.
Last week, four Uzbek media representatives came to Montclair State University through Open World, a program designed to educate foreign representatives in US government and media. They came to experience our freedom of press and learn techniques that will aid them in preparing for their own presidential election Dec. 26.
The group visited different classrooms and participated in the Broadcasting Department's NJ-aired show Carpe Diem last Friday.
Lobar Kaynarova, Ismagil Fattakhov, Obid Shabanov, and Gulchekhra Ulmasbayeva faced difficulties when coming to the United States. Whereas our media is so accustomed to educating itself and being free to cover what it wants, they came with the fear that one in their own group might be a government spy.
Though the media is now independent, and they have access to all information with the exception of particular military strategies, previously all information was hand-fed through Moscow, they said. When asked if they were enjoying the US, they hesitated before answering with smiles and said they enjoyed it very much. They said that since the breakdown of the Soviet Union, they have come to see our country very differently.
Here at the University, we are encouraged to challenge various forms of authority and question their agendas; it is a regular part of our education. Yet so regular is it, that after 228 years of independence, we are so accustomed to our freedom of speech that many pass it up as they would going to the gym that day.
Not all countries struggle against the apathy that comes with the longevity of freedom; a month after the political fury has settled here, and George Bush gets comfortable into his position of lame duck or John Kerry heads home to Boston, another country will be preparing for its first democratic election.
Last week, four Uzbek media representatives came to Montclair State University through Open World, a program designed to educate foreign representatives in US government and media. They came to experience our freedom of press and learn techniques that will aid them in preparing for their own presidential election Dec. 26.
The group visited different classrooms and participated in the Broadcasting Department's NJ-aired show Carpe Diem last Friday.
Lobar Kaynarova, Ismagil Fattakhov, Obid Shabanov, and Gulchekhra Ulmasbayeva faced difficulties when coming to the United States. Whereas our media is so accustomed to educating itself and being free to cover what it wants, they came with the fear that one in their own group might be a government spy.
Though the media is now independent, and they have access to all information with the exception of particular military strategies, previously all information was hand-fed through Moscow, they said. When asked if they were enjoying the US, they hesitated before answering with smiles and said they enjoyed it very much. They said that since the breakdown of the Soviet Union, they have come to see our country very differently.