Reuters ahead at every turn in Kyrgyzstan

Reuters dominated coverage of the overthrow of Kyrgyzstan’s government - throwing into doubt the future of U.S. controlled Manas airbase used for shuttling troops and equipment to Afghanistan, hitting the shares of mining companies with operations in Kyrgyzstan and laying bare regional rivalry between the United States, Russia and China. On April 6, when protesters seized government offices in the northwestern town of Talal and took the governor hostage, Reuters first-hand reporting was unmatched by any other news outlet. The Reuters team in Kyrgyzstan even managed to contact those inside the building to confirm protesters had taken control of the building, even as government officials in the capital Bishkek were issuing denials. On April 7, when protest rallies in the capital turned into violent clashes, with troops shooting into the crowd, Reuters continued to set the agenda. After President Bakiyev fled the capital, Reuters got another world first with an interview with the head of the self-proclaimed government, Roza Otunbayeva. So comprehensive and authoritative was the Reuters coverage, that other international media (newswires and television) repeatedly came to us asking to speak to the Reuters correspondent on the scene or pass on contact details for our sources.