CPJ calls on Kurultai to scrap new restrictions on journalists

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Kazakhstan’s Kurultai to scrap new rules restricting journalists’ movement inside the parliament building and limiting their ability to question members of parliament directly.

The international organisation noted that the new restrictions are being introduced against the backdrop of mounting pressure on independent media in Kazakhstan.

“Journalists must be able to freely question politicians and hold them accountable; this watchdog function is vital to democracy, and Kazakhstan’s new parliament should respect it and scrap any rules that restrict this activity,” said Fiona O’Brien, CPJ’s Europe and Central Asia programme director.

CPJ also said it had sent a request to the Kurultai administration seeking clarification of the new rules governing the work of media representatives, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

As previously reported, it became known on 31 August that journalists would no longer be able to interview members of parliament in the corridors of the Kurultai. Under the new rules, journalists are expected to ask questions in a specially designated press centre.

Earlier, the International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” also noted that the new regulations restrict journalists’ ability to obtain information of public interest and may contradict the Law “On Mass Media”.