The aim of this study is to analyze the capacity to explain, inform, engage and inspire local communities, specifically on human rights issues, conflict prevention, migration, and accountability, through traditional and new media. To this end, we look at the level of interaction between media, young policy experts, civil society organizations and government in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The data for this study was collected through online survey questionnaires on Survey Monkey and face-to-face in-depth interviews with journalists in the two countries. Collected quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS24 and qualitative data was analyzed through discourse analysis. The inquiry was conducted in February-March 2018. All in all, 251 journalists were surveyed who work in major mainstream media outlets including TV, radio, print and online, and 35 face-to-face in-depth interviews with journalists and six interviews with media experts were conducted in four Central Asian states. However, this presentation concentrates on the results in two of these countries, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The results of these surveys throw a light on the strength and weaknesses of the media and policy experts in their interaction with civil society and their impact on government.