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In a significant effort to combat online misinformation and promote digital responsibility, UNESCO’s Almaty Regional Office has launched the #ThinkBeforeSharing Media Campaign in Kyrgyzstan. The initiative, which began in December 2024, represents a collaborative approach with the Fund for the Development of Media Consulting in Central Asia as the implementation partner.
The campaign targets Kyrgyzstan’s growing social media user base, focusing on enhancing critical thinking skills and encouraging more mindful online behavior. With digital misinformation becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread across Central Asia, the initiative comes at a crucial time for the region’s information ecosystem.
“Media and Information Literacy plays a vital role in fostering critical thinking and resilience against misinformation,” explained a UNESCO representative during the launch event. The campaign highlights research from the Media Literacy Index showing that societies with greater media freedom demonstrate enhanced abilities to distinguish between objective reporting and biased or fake content.
The #ThinkBeforeSharing campaign features a series of educational videos addressing three key areas: Media and Information Literacy, protection against disinformation, and transforming hate speech into nonviolent communication.
The first video focuses on fundamental aspects of Media and Information Literacy (MIL), emphasizing how these skills contribute not only to personal critical thinking but also to responsible civic engagement and the promotion of online peace. This component establishes the foundation for the broader campaign objectives.
In the second video, practical digital skills like fact-checking are highlighted as essential tools for navigating the complex online information landscape. With disinformation tactics becoming more sophisticated, the campaign emphasizes verification techniques that can help users assess content before sharing it with their networks.
The third component addresses the concerning rise of hate speech in digital spaces, presenting alternatives for more constructive online communication. “Combatting hate speech is essential for fostering an inclusive society,” notes the campaign material, providing practical guidance for recognizing and responding to harmful content.
The initiative is being promoted in multiple languages, with campaign hashtags in English, Russian, and Kyrgyz (#ThinkBeforeSharing, #ДумайПреждеЧемДелиться, and #ОйлонБөлүшүүдөнМурун), reflecting the multilingual nature of Kyrgyz society and ensuring broader accessibility.
This media literacy effort is part of a larger project titled “Strengthening National Capacity in Peacebuilding and Civil Society Engagement,” jointly implemented by UNESCO and UNDP with funding from the UN Peacebuilding Fund. The broader initiative addresses several interconnected challenges facing Kyrgyzstan, including social cohesion, civic participation, and sustainable peace-building.
Digital literacy experts have noted the timeliness of this campaign, as Kyrgyzstan has experienced a significant increase in internet penetration and social media usage over the past five years. This rapid digital adoption has created new challenges related to information verification and online behavior.
Local media organizations have welcomed the initiative, with several partnering to extend its reach beyond urban centers into rural communities where digital literacy rates tend to be lower. These partnerships aim to bridge the digital divide that often leaves certain populations more vulnerable to misinformation.
The campaign represents part of UNESCO’s broader regional strategy to strengthen media literacy across Central Asia, where similar initiatives have been implemented in neighboring countries with promising results. Early feedback from participants suggests growing awareness of the importance of verification before sharing online content.
As the campaign continues to roll out across Kyrgyzstan, organizers hope to create measurable improvements in how citizens engage with online information, ultimately contributing to a more informed public discourse and resilient information environment in the country.
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12 Comments
While the goals of this campaign are laudable, I’m curious about the specific metrics they’ll use to measure its impact and effectiveness over time. Transparent evaluation will be key to understanding its real-world outcomes.
That’s a good point. Defining clear, quantifiable success indicators will help ensure the campaign remains focused and accountable to its objectives.
This is an important initiative to combat the spread of misinformation on social media in Kyrgyzstan. Enhancing media literacy is crucial for citizens to critically evaluate online content and make more informed decisions.
Agreed. With the growing influence of social media, equipping the public with the skills to identify misinformation is vital for a healthy information ecosystem.
I’m curious to see the educational videos and learn more about the specific strategies used in this media campaign. Promoting critical thinking on social media platforms is a complex challenge.
Yes, the campaign’s focus on research linking media freedom to misinformation resilience is an interesting angle. I wonder how they’ll tailor the approach to the local context in Kyrgyzstan.
It’s great to see UNESCO and local partners collaborating on this initiative. Media literacy education is an important investment in Kyrgyzstan’s information resilience and democratic development.
Absolutely. Strengthening critical thinking skills among social media users is a valuable contribution to the broader effort to combat the erosion of trust in reliable information sources.
This #ThinkBeforeSharing campaign seems like a positive step, but I wonder about its long-term sustainability and whether it can keep up with the constantly evolving tactics of bad actors spreading misinformation.
That’s a valid concern. Ongoing monitoring and adaptation will be crucial for the campaign to remain effective as the digital landscape continues to change.
While combating misinformation is important, I hope this initiative also considers the broader social and political factors that contribute to the spread of false narratives online. A holistic approach may be more effective.
That’s a good point. Addressing the root causes, not just the symptoms, is key to making a lasting impact on digital misinformation in the region.