The OSCE Center in Ashgabat held a two-day seminar in a hybrid format on the creation of press services of state institutions and the organization of their work. The event was attended by representatives of the Mejlis, several ministries and departments of the country, and the media. Among the invitees were international experts Dainius Radzevičius and Živilė Navickaitė-Babkin (Lithuania).
The main goal of the training course was to familiarize participants with advanced practices of press services in government institutions and to assist in improving their interaction with the media.
Thematic reviews by international expert Živilė Navickaitė-Babkin, who joined online, were devoted to the role of press services in ensuring strategic communications and daily information, public relations, and more.
It was noted that the need for up-to-date information and its management necessitated the creation of press services, whose main functions are to communicate with the media and provide leadership with relevant information. Emphasis was placed on the fact that the press service is one of the most important management mechanisms in government bodies, commercial structures and public organizations.
Dainius Radzevičius, the expert from Lithuania, who attended the seminar in person, spoke about the nuances of public speaking, communication problems and their solutions. He noted that communication capabilities lie not only in having effective information channels but also in the ability to communicate with the public, explain decisions to society, and consider the opinions, suggestions, and criticisms of various social groups.
It was emphasized that the technologies used by the press services of government bodies are primarily aimed at the competent and effective functioning of these relationships, which undoubtedly requires highly professional skills from employees.
Additionally, participants reviewed issues related to the needs of modern media and the alignment of interests through short video interviews with journalists from different countries, presented by international experts. They exchanged opinions, shared knowledge, and group work and situation modeling helped them consolidate the material covered.
Noting the productivity of the seminar and the success of long-term mutually beneficial partnerships to further enhance the professional qualifications of national media employees, participants expressed support for continuing effective cooperation with reputable international structures, including the OSCE.
