Kyrgyz Delegation Attends Turkic States Forum on Combating Disinformation in Ankara

Delegates from Kyrgyzstan joined representatives from across the Turkic world this week at a high-profile forum in Ankara focused on combating disinformation, an increasingly pressing concern for governments throughout the region.

The two-day event, organized by the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), brought together media experts, government officials, and communications specialists from member countries to address the growing challenge of false information in the digital age.

Kyrgyzstan’s delegation included senior officials from the Ministry of Digital Development and the state media regulatory agency, who participated in panel discussions and working sessions aimed at developing collaborative approaches to identifying and countering disinformation campaigns.

“The proliferation of false information threatens not only national security but also undermines public trust in institutions,” said one Kyrgyz representative during a plenary session. “This forum provides a valuable platform for sharing experiences and building regional cooperation on this critical issue.”

The gathering comes amid rising concerns across Central Asia and Turkey about foreign-sponsored disinformation campaigns and the role of social media in spreading unverified content. Several participants highlighted how disinformation has affected domestic politics and regional stability in recent years.

Turkiye’s Minister of Communications, who hosted the event, emphasized the importance of preserving information integrity while respecting freedom of expression. “We must find the balance between combating harmful false information and protecting the democratic right to free speech,” the minister noted in opening remarks.

The forum addressed technical solutions like fact-checking tools and artificial intelligence systems that can identify suspicious content patterns. Delegates also discussed legislative approaches, with several Turkic states having recently adopted or considering new laws regulating online content.

However, media freedom advocates present at some sessions cautioned against overly restrictive measures that could be used to silence legitimate criticism or independent journalism under the guise of fighting disinformation.

Regional experts view this forum as part of broader efforts by the Organization of Turkic States to deepen cooperation beyond economic and cultural spheres into areas of shared governance challenges. The OTS, formerly known as the Turkic Council, has expanded its influence in recent years, particularly following Azerbaijan’s military success in Nagorno-Karabakh.

For Kyrgyzstan, participation reflects the country’s ongoing balancing act between maintaining its traditionally open media environment—unique in Central Asia—while addressing genuine concerns about disinformation’s impact on social cohesion.

The Kyrgyz delegation shared their country’s experiences with election-related disinformation during recent political transitions, noting how false narratives spread rapidly through messaging apps and social networks during periods of instability.

A joint declaration issued at the conclusion of the forum outlined commitments to establish a regional early warning system for disinformation campaigns, create shared resources for media literacy education, and develop communication channels for rapid response to cross-border information threats.

Participants agreed to establish a permanent working group that will meet quarterly to assess progress and adapt strategies as disinformation tactics evolve.

This initiative comes against the backdrop of growing geopolitical competition in Central Asia, with Russia, China, and Western nations all seeking to expand their influence in the region. Media analysts note that disinformation often serves as a tool in these larger strategic contests.

The forum in Ankara represents one of the most comprehensive regional efforts to date addressing information integrity challenges in the Turkic world, reflecting the increasing priority governments are placing on managing the information space as a matter of national security.