Uyghur Post Launches:  A New Voice for the Uyghur People 

by Uyghur Post, Dec 2, 2025

Editor’s Note: This article was originally written in Uyghur and published by Uyghur Post, then translated into Uyghur and published by Uyghur Times.Uyghur Post is a partner publication of Uyghur Times.Uyghur Times regularly publishes translated news articles and opinion pieces originally published by Uyghur Post.

On November 20, the Sigur Center for Asia Studies at George Washington University hosted the inaugural discussion marking the launch of Uyghur Post, an independent and free Uyghur-language news outlet.

The event brought together scholars of Uyghur studies, representatives from leading human rights organizations, and members of the Uyghur community. Participants engaged in an in-depth conversation on the urgent need for professional, credible, and trustworthy Uyghur-language media in the diaspora. The discussion highlighted the outlet’s mission, its team of journalists and intellectuals, strategies to maintain reporting quality, ways to counter China’s disinformation, and ongoing efforts to strengthen Uyghur journalism.

U.S. Congress members, including James McGovern and James Walkinshaw, congratulated Uyghur Post on its founding and sent letters of commendation. In a statement read by Todd Stein, staff director of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Congressman McGovern said:

“Uyghur Post will be a new independent news organization in the Uyghur language, designed to fill the information gap left by Uyghur Voices and to invest in Uyghur journalism. I have every confidence in this endeavor based on the esteemed names on the editorial team, some of whom have testified before commissions and contributed to legislation and policy in Congress. I look forward to seeing Uyghur Post grow as it begins its work and builds its team.”

Congressman Walkinshaw said: “I welcome the launch of Uyghur Post to amplify Uyghur voices and ensure that the People’s Republic of China’s human rights violations against Uyghurs in Xinjiang are reported.”

The meeting also featured Scott Phillips and Piero Tozzi, Director and Deputy Director of the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC). Piero Tozzi emphasized:

“As you embark on your mission of service and sharing knowledge, it is essential to uphold the truth and counter CCP propaganda. Commitment to accurate and truthful reporting is vital.”

Representatives from the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, Freedom House, and the International Republican Institute (IRI) also attended.

Omar Kanat, Director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP), spoke on behalf of Uyghur organizations, underscoring the significance of Uyghur Post:

“Independent Uyghur journalism is critical for documenting ongoing atrocities in East Turkistan and keeping global audiences informed. By publishing in both English and Uyghur, Uyghur Post becomes a vital resource for the diaspora at a time when Uyghur-language news is heavily censored.”

Notable scholars, including Sean Roberts, Professor of International Affairs at George Washington University, and Rebecca Clothey, Head of the Department of Global Studies and Modern Languages at Drexel University, discussed the role of Uyghur-language media and methods for ensuring credibility in reporting.

Rebecca Clothey, who has long researched the preservation of Uyghur identity in the diaspora, presided over the discussion and spoke about China’s restrictions on Uyghur-language education, publishing, and cultural activities. She emphasized that Uyghur-language media plays a vital role in:

• Promoting Uyghur cultural resilience
• Educating Uyghurs in the diaspora and preserving their identity
• Reporting on the experiences of Uyghurs under Chinese rule
• Providing reliable information to researchers, advocates, and policymakers

She added: “I am particularly excited that the Uyghur Post is an internet-based initiative developed by and for the Uyghur community in diaspora. The internet is intrinsically connected to issues of language and cultural identity. The internet therefore allows a people to cultivate and assert their own cultural identity and values and concerns, rather than have their identity and values shaped by others.”

Sean Roberts highlighted the importance of shared media in building a sense of community. Citing Benedict Anderson’s theory of nation-building, he noted that newspapers historically allow communities spread across different regions—whether Idlib, Istanbul, Washington D.C., or Fairfax, Virginia—to access the same information, cultivate shared awareness, and feel part of a unified community. He stressed that this is a central function of Uyghur Post.

Addressing the challenges of reaching a broader diaspora audience, Professor Roberts noted the diversity of scripts among Uyghurs—Cyrillic in Central Asia and Arabic or Latin scripts elsewhere—and emphasized the importance of making content accessible across all scripts. Tahir Imin confirmed that Uyghur Post is committed to this.

Regarding credibility, Professor Roberts said: “Uyghur Post is extremely important. If it adheres to the principles of objectivity and inclusivity emphasized by Tahir, it can become a major resource for academics and policymakers.” He also noted that other media outlets have sometimes fallen short, failing to cover the full spectrum of diaspora political movements or lacking an accurate understanding of Central Asia.

Tahir Hamut Izgil, Chief Editor, discussed the state of Uyghur-language media in the homeland and Uyghur Post’s commitment to amplifying Uyghur voices:

“China’s blocking of Uyghur-language media and websites shows its fear of free Uyghur voices. We aim to meet the diaspora’s need for high-quality, consistent reporting. We ensure the accuracy and objectivity of our sources and verify all information. Uyghurs have long been harmed by false information and untrustworthy sources—we must prevent that. Every piece we publish is checked against international journalistic standards.”

Tahir Imin added: “Beyond human rights, Uyghur Post seeks to highlight progress and developments across all aspects of Uyghur life worldwide, spreading hope and inspiration. Despite challenges, including intimidation and transnational repression, our team remains committed to producing multi-format content on topics critical to the Uyghur community. We expose China’s disinformation and ensure Uyghur voices remain heard.”

The session concluded with a Q&A exploring topics such as building the journalistic team, countering Chinese disinformation, sharing Uyghur stories globally, resolving script issues, and coordinating reporting standards with Uyghurs in Central Asia. Participants engaged in detailed discussions and offered suggestions.

The session was highly substantive, with contributions from community representatives including Elfidar Iltebir, Irade Kashgari of Ana Care School, Mustafa Aqsu of IRI, Uyghur poet Medina Bawudun, volunteers such as Memetjan and Abdurauf, and survivors of internment camps such as Mehrigul Tursun, who shared their perspectives.