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Online Media Makes Its Point About IndependenceDiscord in Central Asian countries has risen measurably. Some observers point to the arrival of Taliban extremists in neighboring Afghanistan last year. Others note tensions mounting after the Russian Federation military invaded Ukraine. All see sour economics playing a role in civil unhappiness. Authorities in these countries, mostly, have fallen back on the usual means for keeping things quiet: repression.
Kyrgyzstan is a land-locked Central Asian country of about 6.5 million. About one-third of its population are under 15 years old, similar to other countries in the region. It borders Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and China. It was part of the Soviet Union until 1991 and since independence has languished in poverty and corruption. Kyrgyz is the official language though Russian is widely spoken and taught in schools. The capital city is Bishkek, population about a million. A media law winding its way through the Kyrgyz parliament is somewhat out of character for the government, which has taken a rather laissez-faire attitude toward media outlets. It will, if ratified, enshrine the “foreign agents” designation - and sanctions - for certain independent media outlets, similar to the Russian Federation. All local news outlets would be required to register by next June with “granular detail” on management structures and financing or face being shuttered. Supporters of the law want Radio Azattyk closed along with Kloop and Kaktus Media. About 30 mostly masked people gathered near the Radio Azattyk headquarters in Bishkek (October 21) to plead their case, reported Kloop (October 27). Online news portal Kloop gained its reputation for investigative reporting in 2010 for bringing to light dubious financial entanglements of then-president Kurmanbek Bakiyev and his family members. Shortly thereafter Kloop took the lead in reporting Mr. Bakiyev’s overthrow and exile. The outlet is a partner of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and continues to report on dodgy official corruption. Kaktus Media launched online in 2015 and has become one of the most widely read news outlets. It, too, has fallen foul of Kyrgyz authorities. In January criminal charges were brought against its editorial staff for re-posting a report from Tajik news portal Asia Plus about the border conflict. The prosecutor’s office claimed it was “propaganda” and the usual protestors arrived to bleat for its closing. Rather mysteriously, the case was closed a few weeks later with no charges. Most traditional media in Kyrgystan are state-owned or state-friendly. Vecherniy Bishkek is the main daily newspaper, published in Russian and in and out of favor with the government for several years. State broadcaster Kyrgyz National TV and Radio Corporation (KTRK) operates four TV channels and three national radio channels. Kabar is the state news agency. In the 2022 Reporters sans Frontieres (RSF) World Press Freedom Index Kyrgyzstan ranked 72nd, up year on year from 79th. “The comparison of positions between 2021 and 2022 should be treated with caution,” noted RSF. Kazakhstan ranked 122nd (up from 155th), Uzbekistan 133rd (up from 157th) and Tajikistan 152nd (up from 162nd). See also... |
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Media outlets in Kyrgyzstan staged a Blackout Day last Friday (October 28), no news coverage for the day, reported Human Rights Watch. The organized effort followed authorities’ blocking the website of Radio Azattyk, local affiliate of RFE/RL, for two months. Official distress was raised by pointed news coverage of military clashes - including videos - on the border with Tajikistan. Following the Blackout Day, Radio Azattyk’s bank accounts were frozen.