Kazakhstan MP suggests axing private journalism schools

Majilis deputy Aldan Smaiyl has suggested to optimize journalism schools in private universities and open the mass media institute instead, Tengrinews.kz reports. “In my view, it is necessary to open a single Media and Communications Institute through optimizing the journalism schools in private universities. The Institute would closely cooperate with leading universities of this sector. We have to do this considering the present and future serious effect that information has on a country’s life. This institute could be organized based on the experience of Washington Academy of Radio and Television Broadcasting or New York Radio and Television Broadcasting School,” deputy said at the Majilis (lower chamber of the Parliament) plenary meeting. The MP believes that creative level of modern Kazakhstan media does not comply with any international standards and leaves much to be desired. “Kazakhstan TV channels are flooded with unsuccessful copies of second-rate foreign shows. Shows of Balapan and Bilim channels need professionals. TV channels are experiencing a deficit of qualified personnel. No creative connections with foreign media corporations are being established because there are no TV journalists with international experience in Kazakhstan,” Smaiyl said. Smaiyl pointed out that capacities of digital television are not being fully used, although a significant of funding had been provided by the government for implementation of digital TV in Kazakhstan. The deputy blames outdated syllabuses of journalism schools for the shortages. He is confident that the universities research and technical base is also in critical condition. By Gulnara Zhandagulova