On April 21, Kanat Karabalayev, Deputy Head of the Emergency Situations Department of West Kazakhstan, announced at an RSK briefing a prohibition on media access to flood-risk zones for the duration of the emergency. He also imposed a ban on drone usage in and around these areas. This directive limits journalists to information solely from the Emergency Situations Department’s press service.
Adil Soz expresses concern over this decision, acknowledging the need to ensure the safety and health of all citizens, yet believing that such media restrictions are excessive and unlawful. According to Article 17 of the Law “On State Secrets,” information concerning emergency situations and their consequences is not classified. Furthermore, Article 20 of the Law “On the Mass Media” explicitly allows journalists to document these events using audiovisual equipment. Legal restrictions on these rights should only be imposed through legislative acts, not departmental by-laws or individual officials’ orders.
Journalists are crucial in informing the public about ongoing flood conditions, alerting them to potential threats, and coordinating responses in emergencies. Relaying information exclusively through the limited scope of the Emergency Situations Service press office restricts access to a comprehensive understanding of the events. Such constraints on journalists’ legal rights can lead to misinformation, public panic, and widespread dissatisfaction with governmental responses.
Adil Soz appreciates the efforts of the Emergency Situations Service in aiding the affected regions but urges respect for the constitutional right to freely access and disseminate information, ensuring media access to risk zones with all necessary safety precautions in place.
