Now the environment degradation problems draw more steadfast attention of the public. The greater part of the information is received through mass media: newspapers, magazines, TV and radio. But, despite of it, the level of ecological journalism in Kazakhstan remains very poor and the theme of environment preservation beyond interests of mass-media. Environmental issues are not so popular as economic and political ones. It isn?t easy for journalists to push the nature protection materials ahead.
The journalist should demonstrate persistence and professionalism in illumination of the theme to be succeed. Even solid editions, TV and radio channels don?t have enough financial resources to support correspondents specializing in nature protection subjects, therefore it?s very difficult for regular journalists to quickly penetrate into a theme and competently highlight it. As a result, uninteresting articles and TV-broadcasts with a lot of mistakes take place, and they bring more harm, than advantage for society.

And, on the contrary, there are many examples when a series of publications timely submitted information could change the situation, to induce people to certain actions and as consequence, to stop harmful construction or the unreasoned bill. Besides, regular, competent and constant illumination of nature protection subjects in mass-media has a long-term effect, it changes consciousness of the population, reorients consumer attitude to the nature to creative activity forward to its protection.

The 5th Central-Asian Festival of Ecological Journalism will allow reach a long-term effect since it will serve as good stimulus of journalists on creation of interesting and actual media-production in the field of environment preservation and to draw attention of the public of Kazakhstan to practical actions on preservation of a biodiversity and protection of international waters.
Besides, the annual festival gives opportunity for journalists to exchange experience, gain new professional skills. This year the journalists will have easy access to study and see each other's works, to discuss them. A special exhibition of the journalistic works (press and radio) will be arranged.

Tasks
1.Attraction of public attention of Kazakhstan to environmental problems
2.Increase of activity of journalists writing on environmental themes
3.Strengthening of experience exchange of journalists of Kazakhstan and other Central Asian Republics
4.Revealing of tendencies of ecological journalism over Kazakhstan.
5.Rewarding of the best journalists of Kazakhstan for materials in the field of environment

Expected results:
The most professional journalists will be revealed for further cooperation, a network of journalists in various regions of the country and region will be created and start working, a training needs of the journalists will be identified, a series of trainings will be arranged according to the needs, professional qualification of journalists will increase, a dialogue with editors of the most popular mass-media will be established for better understanding of environmental issues.