In Central Asia, independent media plays an essential role in shedding light on freedom of religion of belief (FoRB) violations. As a result, Central Asian governments attempt to silence independent journalists and bloggers to conceal their FoRB abuses. Such intimidation campaigns often include harassment, the closure of independent outlets, baseless prison sentences, and more. However, Central Asian reporters in the diaspora and other foreign journalists have long filled in these reporting gaps, contributing to the efforts of human rights defenders who promote FoRB.
On this episode of the USCIRF Spotlight podcast, Vice Chair Asif Mahmood speaks with Felix Corley, editor of Forum-18 News Service, and Bruce Pannier, a research fellow at the Turan Research Center with over 25 years of experience covering Central Asia in different capacities. Together, they discuss the importance of independent journalism in promoting FoRB in Central Asia.