Articles by Media Policy Institute
Under the guise of caring for children, Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Council adopts law imposing online censorship
The President of the Kyrgyz Republic is urged to return the draft law to the Jogorku Kenesh (Supreme Council) for thorough revision, with the participation of experts in the field, and an analysis of international legal provisions.
Kyrgyzstan urged to stop abusing legislation to target independent media
The recent ruling to close ‘Azattyk Media’, which can still be appealed in court, reflects a growing pattern in Kyrgyzstan to draft and arbitrarily implement controversial and ambiguous laws that could be misused to target people and institutions exercising their rights to free expression and information.
Legal claims of the Ministry of Culture against Azattyk should be relinquished
The closure of Azattyk Media will entail not only a restriction of freedom of speech and pluralism in the mass media, but also a restriction of citizens’ rights to access information.
Civil society organisations voice concern over Kyrgyzstan’s assault on free expression and independent media
Recent legislative changes, an increase in the harassment of independent media outlets, and a series of attacks on journalists reveal an alarming trend of shrinking press freedoms. Kyrgyzstan is urged to reverse this pattern and create an enabling environment conducive to media freedom and civic space.
Kyrgyz government urged to withdraw draft Broadcasting Bill
A number of IFEX members call on the Kyrgyzstan government to withdraw its draft legislation threatening to further undermine the independence of the Kyrgyz Broadcasting Corporation (OTRK), and to instead ensure the public broadcaster is governed by standards which ensure editorial independence, transparency, and accountability to the Kyrgyz people.
Government of Kyrgyzstan curbs freedom of expression and access to information amid COVID-19
While misinformation and disinformation are particularly harmful during this pandemic, the policy of censoring the opinions of social media users should instead be replaced by measures to ensure that media has access to information to provide comprehensive news to the public.
Stop Kyrgyzstan’s descent into media repression
While Kyrgyzstan has generally been a rare positive example in a region where autocracy has been the rule, recent developments threaten to send the country down a similarly repressive path.
Pressure mounts on Cambodia a year after Kem Ley’s killing
On the one-year anniversary of the death of popular Cambodian activist Kem Ley, civil society organisations from around the world reiterated their call for an independent inquiry.