In the next few episodes, we are excited to have an intimate look into Central Asian countries thanks to a rare visit from several wonderful journalists who were competitively selected for a US State Department-sponsored exchange program, which was made possible through the Meridian International Center (see the press release here: https://www.meridian.org/news/texas-international-education-consortium-brings-u-s-state-departments-central-asian-journalist-in-residence-program-for-month-long-mentorship-and-residency-program-in-texas/).

On this episode, Matt and Tom speak with Erkinbek and Aigul, two media professionals from Kyrgyzstan who are wrapping up internships at main media outlets here in Austin, Texas. Thanks to their insights, we gain a glimpse of the media landscape in their country and the differences between US and Kyrgyzstan media and the various issues that crop up in each space.

PRODUCER'S NOTE: Our guests today appear courtesy of Texas International Education Consortium (www.tiec.org) and Meridian International Center (www.meridian.org). Special thanks to Sonia McLaughlin at TIEC, Professor Mark Pomar from the School of Journalism at UT, and the CAJIR program for providing funding.

Attention Austinites INVITATION FROM LBJ'S MIRTA BASELOVIC to join graduate students for the Interntional Relations and Human Rights panel which will be held on UT campus November 22nd, 2019 from 12pm to 2pm in UTC 3.104. If you can't make it, the event should be featured on this podcast and/or livestreamed. For more information email: mdaniel@austin.utexas.edu . Food provided for attendees!

RECORDING NOTE: Episode recorded November 1st, 2019 at the University of Texas at Austin.

CREDITS
Co-Producer: Tom Rehnquist (Connect: facebook.com/thomas.rehnquist)
Co-Producer: Matthew Orr (Connect: facebook.com/orrrmatthew)
Supervising Producer: Kathryn Yegorov-Crate
Associate Producer: Samantha Farmer
Associate Producer: Lera Toropin
Music Producer: Charlie Harper (Connect: facebook.com/charlie.harper.1485 Instagram: @charlieharpermusic Visit him on the web: www.charlieharpermusic.com)
(Additional original music by Scott Holmes, Chuzausen, Mid-Air Machine, Checkie Brown, Christian Bjoerklund)
Executive Producer & Creator: Michelle Daniel (Connect: facebook.com/mdanielgeraci Instagram: @michelledaniel86) www.msdaniel.com

Follow The Slavic Connexion on Instagram: @slavxradio, Twitter: @SlavXRadio, and on Facebook: facebook.com/slavxradio . Visit www.slavxradio.com for more episodes and information.

Special Guests: Aigulya Adjieva (Айгуля Аджиева) and Erkinbek Kamalov.