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Over Half of People in Kyrgyzstan Use Russian Information Sources – New Survey

The Russian Eurasian Center for Sociology and Analytics has conducted a survey examining which information sources are used by citizens of Kyrgyzstan. The study involved face-to-face interviews with 1,900 residents aged over 18. The survey found that 52% of respondents use Russian or Russian-language information sources. One third use Kyrgyz and Russian or Russian-language sources equally, while 43% use Kyrgyz sources more often. Young people were identified as the main audience consuming information in Russian. The primary sources of information for residents of Kyrgyzstan are public pages and groups on social media (63%). YouTube ranks second (47%). Respondents also cited conversations with friends (41%) and group chats on WhatsApp, Viber, and other messaging platforms (37%) as common sources of news and information. For 40%, television remains a relevant source. Only 10% mentioned Telegram channels. Among men, the most popular sources of information are YouTube, television, and radio, while women tend to use social media more frequently. The main social media and online platforms used regularly (at least three to four times a week) are YouTube (71%) and Instagram (67%), followed by Facebook (23%) and TikTok (22%). Russian social networks such as VKontakte (5%) and Odnoklassniki are less popular. Seven percent of respondents said they do not use social media or online platforms at all. YouTube is the most popular platform across almost all age groups up to 64 years old. Online audiences show the greatest interest in political (48%) and entertainment (45%) content. Other areas of significant interest include leisure programmes (38%), sports (37%), social issues (34%), and economic news (33%). Political news is more likely to attract residents of the country’s north (55%) than those in the south (44%). Russian remains widely spoken in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in the north and in the capital, Bishkek. Under the Constitution, Russian has official status, while Kyrgyz is the state language.

Uzbekistan: New construction phase launched at IT Park in Tashkent

TASHKENT (TCA) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on November 20 visited the Technological Park of software products and information technologies in Tashkent, the president’s official website reported. Continue reading

Technology Information Economy Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan to produce computers together with China

ASHGABAT (TCA) — At the session of the Turkmen Cabinet of Ministers on September 6, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov signed the Law on Cyber Security, which, among others, defines the processes of digitization in Turkmenistan, the state information agency TDH reported. In this context, a totally new branch for the country — the computer production — is very important for establishment of ‘digital’ Turkmenistan and supply of the national economy with domestic information technologies. The development of the domestic computer industry started with the opening of Agzybirlik Tilismaty company, which was founded by the Centre of Computer Technologies of the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan together with Chinese Hengsheng Lianhua Investment Management Co. Ltd. and Tongfang Hongkong Limited for production of computers in Turkmenistan. This year, Agzybirlik Tilismaty made 80,000 children learning computers according to the Resolution of President Berdymukhamedov. The computers were presented to the first grade school students of the country on behalf of the Leader of the Nation. The software of the computers is able to perform 198 various educational functions and has three languages – Turkmen, Russian and English. Agzybirlik Tilismaty now works on manufacturing of test samples of notebooks, tablets, personal computers, and servers. The first batch of personal computers under its own brand name is to be produced by the end of this year. Annual production output of the facility is planned to reach 500,000 computers. It is planned that computers under Turkmen brand name will be supplied to neighboring countries as Agzybirlik Tilismaty is the only plant in Central Asia for production of computer equipment. The joint venture also works closely with Microsoft, the largest transnational company for software development, and the Intel, the leading producer of electronic devices and computer components. They have already given their recommendation to their clients in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan for procurement of computers from Turkmenistan.

Telecommunication Technology Information Central Asia Education Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan: Bishkek to host global technology conference

BISHKEK (TCA) — Preparations are underway for the first Digital Transformation in Central Asia Conference to be held in Kyrgyzstan in October 2019. Organised by the University of Central Asia (UCA), State Committee for Information Technology and Communications, and the High Technology Park of the Kyrgyz Republic, the event will provide Information Technology (IT) leaders the opportunity to connect with over a hundred Chief Information Officers and IT leaders within Central Asia and abroad, in both the government and private sectors. Continue reading

Internet Information Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan: Authorities finishing testing of web traffic spy tool

NUR-SULTAN (TCA) — Kazakhstan’s security service said it will finish testing an encryption-busting root certificate on August 7 that critics say allow it to spy on user activity on the Internet, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reported. Continue reading

Mass Media Information Telecommunication Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan: Ashgabat residents install satellite dishes on the ground

ASHGABAT (TCA) — Authorities in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat prevent the residents from installing satellite aerials on the facades of residential buildings and occasionally order public utilities staff to dismantle the dishes from the walls. As a result, people are now installing the aerials on the ground in front of their houses, independent foreign-based news website Chronicles of Turkmenistan reports. Continue reading