Independent journalists and international human rights organizations are concerned about the future of free-press development in Kazakhstan
Published:
20 January 2004 y., Tuesday
Independent journalists and international human rights organizations are concerned about the future of free-press development in Kazakhstan, citing pending media legislation that would effectively give the government the ability to meddle in the operations of news-gathering organizations.
A clear majority in Kazakhstan's lower house of parliament, or Mazhilis, passed the media bill on December 25. Free-speech advocates believe the upper house, or Senate, will approve the bill as early as in mid-February. "We have no hope in the Senate, and [only] a very small hope that the president will reconsider and not sign this draft law," said Irina Petrushova, editor of the opposition Assandi Times newspaper.
Under the law, the Ministry of Information Affairs would have nearly unlimited powers to suspend a media organization's operations. The law places no restrictions on monopolies, and does little to guarantee journalists' rights. The law vaguely states that journalists have a right to gather information. At the same time, the legislation mandates that media organizations perform certain functions as defined by the Ministry of Information - a requirement that critics fear could be used to deny registration to media outlets that anger the government.
Petrushova, one of the bill's most outspoken critics, said the Western reaction to the media bill could play a pivotal role in its future. An outcry against the law by Western government and non-governmental groups could pressure Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev not to sign the restrictive legislation. The Assandi Times has already published two so-called "protest editions" with statements from international organizations such as Reporters Without Borders and the World Association of Newspapers that criticize the draft law. The newspaper plans to release additional special editions in January to draw fresh international attention to the legislation. But, so far, such criticism appears to have had little effect.
Šaltinis:
EurasiaNet
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
This Saturday, 24 April, the Carlos de Amberes Foundation is hosting two conferences of European experts on the environment and sustainability and immigration policies in the EU, organised by the Allianz Cultural Foundation in the context of the Allianz Alumni Academy.
more »
The Trident-Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai to reopen, following renovations after militant attacks in 2008
more »
Fresh from their wedding in Jamaica, British tourists Siobhan and David Monteith never thought for a minute that a volcano would interrupt their honeymoon.
more »
The streets of Manila filled with a colourful display on wheels, just days before the world celebrates Earth Day’s 40th anniversary.
more »
Tens of thousands of Ugandans flocked to the hilltop palace of Africa’s youngest tribal ruler for two days of noisy parties marking a decade in power for the 18-year-old king.
more »
Colourful warriors leap across the stage at the 6th annual Songjiang Battle Array, in Neimen, southern Taiwan.
more »
Consumers benefit from greater use of European product safety alert system and more effective market surveillance.
more »
Representatives from all Member States are gathering for two days in Zaragoza from 15 to 16 April to discuss how migrant integration can become a driver for social cohesion in the EU.
more »
The much heralded "citizens initiative" to change EU laws has been given a cautious welcome by MEPs. Under the scheme - a major innovation of the Lisbon treaty - a million people can back a plan to introduce European legislation.
more »
Football shares Europe's values of integration, solidarity and social inclusion, and can play a significant role in helping the EU to promote them, especially at the local level where clubs are part of their local communities.
more »