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Introducing

Bermet Talant

“I come from a region that is known for strongman leaders, turbulent democracies, and corruption. Over the years, I’ve witnessed democratic backsliding, as well as various attacks and pressures on journalists and independent media. Those experiences have shaped both my journalism career and the course of my adult life.”

Bermet is a journalist with experience in international and investigative reporting in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Her work has appeared in both international and regional media outlets (The Guardian, The Interpreter (Lowy Institute’s blog), Kyiv Post, Eurasianet, OpenDemocracy, OCCRP, and others).

Originally from Kyrgyzstan, she has lived and worked in Turkey, Bosnia, and Ukraine before moving to Australia last year. Bermet has also completed a journalism fellowship with the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University in 2021. Her interests include international politics, media freedom, human rights, and disinformation. At the AJF, she produces and researches the Future of Journalism series.