Amid rising censorship and disinformation, Kashgar Times emerges as a new Uyghur-run media outlet telling stories from the ground in a truthful and objective manner.
A new independent news media outlet, Kashgar Times, was launched on April 30, 2025, to report on the Uyghur people and the injustices they face under the oppressive regime of the People’s Republic of China. The platform was founded by prominent Uyghur advocate Arslan Hidayat and seasoned journalist Nuriman Abdureshid.
Kashgar Times aims to serve as a vital source of accurate, on-the-ground news from East Turkistan, also known as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Its creation comes at a time when truth is often obscured by censorship and misinformation.
The Uyghur people have long faced systemic oppression, cultural erasure, and human rights violations amounting to genocide. Access to unfiltered news from the region has become increasingly difficult due to strict censorship and the suppression of free journalism by China. Kashgar Times seeks to bridge this gap by providing a platform where Uyghur voices can be heard without the veil of propaganda.
The launch of Kashgar Times addresses an urgent gap in the media landscape. Founders Arslan Hidayat and Nuriman Abdureshid bring significant experience and dedication. Arslan has advocated for Uyghur rights on various international platforms, while Nuriman has reported for the Uyghur Service at Radio Free Asia.
The outlet is committed to upholding the highest journalistic standards, presenting stories that highlight both the struggles and the resilience of the Uyghur community. By sharing firsthand accounts, investigative reporting, and expert analysis, Kashgar Times aims to shed light on life in Chinese-occupied East Turkistan and to counter the disinformation campaign driven by the Chinese Communist Party.
In an interview with Uyghur Haber, Hidayat responded to a question about how information can still be obtained from East Turkistan despite the heavy censorship: “I can say that, despite China’s tight censorship, information still finds ways to surface. We closely monitor Chinese social media, official government websites, and state-run media, extracting fragments that help us construct a fuller picture. At Kashgar Times, we are committed to rigorous fact-checking and due diligence to ensure that every piece of news we publish is accurate and responsibly sourced.”
As a Uyghur-run outlet, Kashgar Times is dedicated to reporting on Uyghurs, by Uyghurs, for a global audience. Its mission is rooted in the belief that storytelling can foster empathy and global awareness of the situation faced by the Uyghur people.
Enver Can, founding president of the Ilham Tohti Initiative, pointing out especially the recent closure of RFA’s Uyghur-language broadcasts, says, “The Uyghur people, who have been subject to the Chinese policy of genocide, urgently need an independent media outlet. Therefore, the launch of the Kashgar Times is a crucial first step to inform the world about their plight. The Kashgar Times could serve as the pioneer project for a future Uyghur news agency.”
Supporters are invited to subscribe, contribute, and help expand the outlet’s reach. Kashgar Times seeks to inform, empower, and amplify the voices of those fighting for justice and preservation of their community.
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