This makes them aware of their role and gives them the background knowledge they need in order to react in different situations. They also learn their loyalties in these training sessions, meet with other watchdogs and find out all they have to know for their role as the watchdogs of society. Mr. Farid Niyazov, Head of the Information Department of President Akaev's Administration, said in an earlier speech that there is no censorship in the Kyrgyz media. Dear Mr. Niyazov, I disagree with you on this point. There is censorship in the media, and there is also a very high degree of self-censorship.
Censorship works like a muzzle.
The dog cannot bark and it cannot bite. The muzzle of censorship needs to be taken off, so the watchdogs can bark at those who try to restrict the citizens' rights. Don't get me wrong, I don't necessarily want the dogs to bite anybody, but they have to be able to bark, and they should be able to bark very loud. It does not make sense to have a watchdog protecting your front door while you have thieves breaking into your backyard or your garage. The strongest dogs sit in Bishkek, while the regions are neglected and left in a state of insecurity.