(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a 14 July 2003 IPI press release: Vienna, 14 July 2003 IPI Calls for Significant Changes in Draft Kazakhstan Media Law The International Press Institute (IPI) releases report on Kazakhstan draft Law “Concerning Mass Media” highlighting a number of significant failings with regard to international standards on press freedom. In […]
(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a 14 July 2003 IPI press release:
Vienna, 14 July 2003
IPI Calls for Significant Changes in Draft Kazakhstan Media Law
The International Press Institute (IPI) releases report on Kazakhstan draft Law “Concerning Mass Media” highlighting a number of significant failings with regard to international standards on press freedom.
In a report titled: “Report on the Republic of Kazakhstan Law ‘Concerning Mass Media'”, IPI states that in its present form the legislation is flawed and that a number of articles stray so far from international standards on press freedom that it is difficult not to see the Law Concerning Mass Media (CMM) as a government-inspired attempt to control and intimidate the media.
In relation to the draft legislation, IPI argues that the government of Kazakhstan needs to work harder at incorporating international standards on freedom of the press and of expression, particularly regarding the proper definitions of press freedom, limitations on this right, secrecy laws, journalists’ confidentiality, censorship, freedom of information, and media activities during elections.
Regarding the definitions and usage in the CMM, IPI believes that there are areas where there is a distinct need to remove ambiguities and contradictions in the wording of the legislation.
Concerning government control, IPI is worried that a number of Articles may be open to abuse, in particular, those that allow the government to remove journalists and editors from their positions or prevent media owners from founding media organizations. Furthermore, there is an attempt to provide a privacy shield to politicians, which goes against international standards that say politicians must accept greater scrutiny.
In conclusion, IPI calls on the government of Kazakhstan to withdraw the CMM in its present form and engage in a thorough review to meet international standards on press freedom.
Speaking of the draft legislation, IPI Director, Johann P. Fritz, said, “At a time when the government claims that it is serious about introducing real change to the Kazakhstan media environment, this law conveys the opposite view. If the government is indeed serious, it should withdraw this draft law and reopen the discussion process, thus allowing a greater degree of dialogue between itself, local journalists, and international organizations.”
To read the report, please visit http://www.freemedia.at/KazakhstanReport.htm
