Kyrgyzstan Authorities Renew Attack on Media [EN/RU] – Kyrgyzstan

Amendments Threaten Censorship; Main Web site Blocked

(Berlin, October 28, 2022) – In Kyrgyzstan, the authorities have elevated efforts to regulate and censor mass media amid their latest crackdown on freedom of expression and civil society, Human Rights Watch mentioned as we speak.

On October 26, 2022, the Kyrgyz authorities ordered a two-month blockage of the web sites of Azattyk Media, the Kyrgyz service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, due to a video protecting the latest border battle between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The order was primarily based on the Legislation on Safety from False Info, which drew important criticism when adopted in August 2021. The authorities declare the video used hate speech and false info that Kyrgyzstan had attacked Tajikistan, which the radio service’s Tajikistan-based correspondent referred to throughout a video phase that includes correspondents in each Bishkek and Dushanbe, the nations’ capitals.

“It’s customary journalistic observe to supply info from each side of the battle,” mentioned Syinat Sultanalieva, Central Asia Researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The blockage of Azattyk Media is a blatant try to regulate and censor unbiased journalism in Kyrgyzstan in violation of the nation’s worldwide human rights obligations, significantly with respect to freedoms of expression and of the media.”

The blockage of Azattyk’s web sites adopted a protest outdoors Azattyk’s workplace on October 13, saying it must be closed down, and an initiative by a member of the Kyrgyz Parliament, Nadira Narmatova, for individuals to signal a petition calling for closure of Azattyk Media and two different media – Kloop, and Kaktus.Media. On October 14, an open letter signed by 70 public figures referred to as for closing these organizations, contending that they have been foreign-funded entities working towards the nationwide pursuits of the nation. Not less than seven individuals included within the listing of public figures publicly denied signing the letter.

The Kyrgyz Ministry of Tradition and Info, which is chargeable for implementing the Safety from False Info Legislation, had beforehand blocked web sites of the ResPublica newspaper for 2 months, beginning in June, and tried to dam the web site of the 24.kg info company in August over an nameless criticism of false info. The web site was subsequently unblocked.

On September 28, the Kyrgyz president’s administration submitted draft amendments to the Legislation on Mass Media, which would come with penalties for “abuse of freedom of speech” (Article 4) for public consideration. The final day to submit feedback on the draft amendments is October 28, after which the amendments will probably be submitted to parliament for consideration.

On October 27, dozens of representatives of Kyrgyzstan’s media neighborhood revealed an open enchantment to the Kyrgyz authorities to right away stop all stress on freedom of speech and freedom of media and to withdraw the Safety from False Info Legislation.

Evaluation by a number of mediagroups discovered that actions that represent “abuse of freedom of speech” within the proposed amendments would come with sending “subliminal messaging” to viewers, mentioning any group that was legally liquidated or whose actions have been prohibited in Kyrgyzstan, and distributing any info prohibited by legislation.

The draft legislation additionally would enhance registration necessities for foreign-based and funded mass media organizations, together with figuring out their primary thematic pursuits to be coated and their sources of funding. It will additionally require different media, together with web publications, to register.

Media specialists have identified that the textual content of the draft amendments is similar to passages of the Russian Legislation on Mass Media and have expressed concern that the legislation can be used to eradicate media retailers crucial of the federal government.

“Kyrgyzstan ought to get up for, not undermine, unbiased media,” Sultanalieva mentioned. “Authorities ought to instantly stop their makes an attempt at controlling this basic human proper by withdrawing the proposed amendments and uphold its dedication to respect all freedoms and human rights within the nation.”