According to the information given in Fergana.ru, the Uzbek language TV channels in southern Kyrgyzstan are at a risk of closure due to the new law passed by Jogorku Kenesh (Kyrgyz parliament) that broadcast mass media should produce at least half of the programs in state language (Kyrgyz language). Because of the new language requirements, two big Uzbek language TV channels in southern Kyrgyzstan — Mezon TV and Osh TV — will have to face serious problems if they will not meet the new requirement by August 15, the date when the new law will come into force. The Uzbek TV channel staff believe that its impossible to meet the new regulations, as they lack material in Kyrgyz language:

“We would comply with the law if we could. Right now we do not have resources to produce original programs in the Kyrgyz language or translate Uzbek programs to Kyrgyz,” Khudaiberdiev [Osh TV director] said. “Nowadays even big TV companies cannot afford that. We cannot survive [under such legislation] without help from the government,” he added.

According to the Kyrgyz government statistics of 1999, Kyrgyzstan has a population of about 5.5 million people, out which about 14% are ethnic Uzbeks, who mainly reside in southern Kyrgyzstan. However, independent analysts claim that the number of Uzbek population of Kyrgyzstan is much higher than 14%. Therefore, in case Osh TV and Mezon TV are closed due to the new regulations, it will certainly have a negative respond from the great part of population. There is a possibility that it may lead to unrests of Uzbek community in Kyrgyzstan. Unfortunately, the history already has examples of inter-ethnic clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan. If any clash occurs this time, it will have way more devastating effects than in early 90s.

I am not for separation of two ethnic groups. I am rather pro integration*, but at the same time the Kyrgyz government should think about the rights of ethnic minorities, as I believe that the new language regulation on media is 1) a language based-restriction of minority rights, and 2) abridgment of freedom of speech. And if the Kyrgyz government wants to facilitate the ethnic Uzbeks to assimilate with Kyrgyz, it should pay more attention to the education system, as Kyrgyz language is till being poorly taught in schools with Uzbek language instruction.

Critical note - By saying this, I am not stating that the language and mass media policies of the Uzbek government are right. The Uzbek policies towards minorities are very harsh and there is much to be done to fix the situation.

*UPD: changed from ‘assimilation’ to ‘integration’