Within the second day of Astana Media Week 2018, the Forum of regional media of Kazakhstan was held. The Ministry of Information and Communication has conceived this event to discuss the most pressing issues of the development of the print market of the national media, difficulties and opportunities during the transition to new convergent forms.

The section on the discussion of problems and prospects for the development of media literacy and media education in Kazakhstan was held by a journalist, director of the media school "Gazmedia ortalygy" Mahabbat Yesen.

In acute controversy, representatives of employers - top management of domestic TV channels and heads of journalism departments of four leading universities in the country expressed mutual complaints and expectations. The following questions were discussed: “What and how are journalists prepared?”, “Is it time to replace theory with practice?”, “Why do media outlets and TV channels reluctantly take students to practice?”, “What are professional standards, and who should develop them?” “How to ensure the principle of convergence in practice?”, “What teacher is needed for student-journalists?”, “Why are television channels forced to teach students the basics of genres?”, “What are the departments of journalism from mentors in practice?” And others.

The opinions of students and teachers of regional media were also heard.

During the debate, it was suggested that journalists do not need to prepare for four years - two-year courses are enough, or semi-annual training for specialists of other profiles: economists, lawyers, financiers and others.

A look was expressed at how journalists are trained abroad, where they are taught professional skills on a convergent basis, and also bring up high self-esteem and motivation for the profession. It was proposed to pay for the practice to professional mentors from the budgets of universities, as well as to assign students to a certain mentor for all the years of study.

As a result of the professional discussion, recommendations for joint work were voiced.