FOcus On - International Press Institute

Information and Sports. The registration
applications for print are often denied,
which is considered a form of censorship.
Registration of mass media conflicts with
OSCE standards. The proposed changes
to the law would eliminate the need for
radio and television media to register. But
since the majority of broadcast outlets are
already owned and controlled by the
president’s allies and family, registration
is nearly a non-issue.
Websites are another matter. They are
registered under the Agency for Informa -
tion and Communication, which handles
new technology. To register, the site
owners must agree to use state-owned
KazakhTelecom. This allows the state to
“pull the plug” on any website at any
time. The OSCE has cited Kazakhstan
several times for web censorship. Several
sites critical of the government have been
shut down for months, and access to
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty online
has recently been curtailed.
Regarding criminal defamation, plans
for its decriminalisation have stalled.
Government officials say that the new
media plan eases the criminal code. But
media advocates say that the proposal still
leaves journalists vulnerable, citing that
civil suits brought before the court can
(and do) financially cripple a reporter.
Furthermore, there is currently no cap
on fines. Hefty fees are levied against
reporters and their newspapers for alleged
transgressions, essentially devastating
news operations. Punishments also in -
clude the clampdown of presses and
seizure of office equipment, often for a
civil offence, and often undertaken without
a court order.
Kazakhstan in Brief
Regardless of the media law enacted,
the issue of intimidation and violent
threats as a means of censorship is
the most significant obstacle to a free
and independent media taking root in
Kazakhstan.
Recommendations
Bring those responsible for threatening
and attacking journalists to justice.
Remove provisions in Kazakh
media law requiring the registration
of mass media.
Remove oppressive restrictions
on website owners.
Remove all forms of criminal defamation
from existing legislation.
Population: 15.3 million
Domestic Overview: Kazakhstan declared independence from the
Soviet Union in 1991, becoming the world’s largest landlocked country.
Despite some reform since then, the country still has some way to go
before it can be considered a genuine, modern democracy. Nursultan
Nazarbayev has been the sole President since independence, re-elected
by landslide majorities in both 1997 and 2004 in votes considered flawed
by most observers. In 2007, term limits for Nazarbayev were removed,
meaning he may well remain in power for many years to come.
Beyond Borders: Kazakhstan is due to take over the OSCE rotating
chairmanship in 2010, although human rights standards in the country
presently fall short of those demanded by the organisation.
Kazakhstan has stable relations with all its neighbouring countries.
Kyrgyzstan
by Patti McCracken
Kyrgyzstan is one of the poorest countries
of the former Soviet bloc, en -
joying none of the oil-driven prosperity
of regional counterparts such as Kazakh -
stan or Azerbaijan. However, following
the 2005 Tulip Revolution, some pro -
gress was made in the field of human
rights, and the country became something
of a positive leader among its
neighbours – particularly with regards to
press freedom. Sadly, this trend has seen
as about turn in the last two years, with
concerted and brash efforts by the government
to censor the media. Legal protection
has become increasingly unstable
and unreliable, in part due to a standoff
in parliament between the ruling and
opposition parties. The decriminalization
of libel failed to pass into law. And,
although strides were made towards privatisation
of radio and television, Kyrgyz
President Kurmanbek Bakiyev – or individuals
with long-term ties to him – still
control the executive boards.
All transmissions from
Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty (RFE/RL) into the
country were suspended
after the Kyrgyz government
withdrew RFE/RL’s
broadcasting rights
One of the most significant and troubling
blows to independent journalism in
Kyrgyzstan was dealt in October, when
all transmissions from Radio Free Eu -
rope/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) into the
country were suspended after the Kyrgyz
government withdrew RFE/RL’s broadcasting
rights. The reason cited for the
withdrawal was alleged unpaid debts.
However, Melis Eshimkanov, head of the
Kyrgyz National Television and Radio
Corporation, said in December that
RFE/RL’s programs were “too negative
and too critical” of the government, and
that its programs would have to be submitted
for prior, governmental approval
before broadcasting can resume.
“When faced with an ailing and
deeply corrupt economy and countrywide
power cuts, the best the Kyrgyzstani
government can do is crack down on one
of the most reliable, independent sources
of information in the country,” said Jeff
Goldstein, Freedom House senior pro-
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