Independent voices are becoming fewer: Adil Soz Foundation concerned about the shrinking media landscape in Kazakhstan
Several developments in recent days have once again raised concerns about the state of independent journalism in Kazakhstan. Orda.kz, one of the country’s largest media outlets, has ceased operations; Vadim Boreiko, creator of the YouTube channel Giperborey, has announced an extended break; and false reports claiming that KazTAG is about to shut down have begun circulating on social media.
The International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” is concerned that the space for independent journalism in Kazakhstan continues to shrink. The circumstances differ in each case, but the cumulative effect is clear: audiences are losing alternative sources of information, while the journalistic community is working amid growing pressure and uncertainty.
Orda.kz ceases operations
As of 1 September, Orda.kz has ceased operations, including its associated social media accounts and YouTube channel.
Maksat Ganiyev, founder and first head of Ordamedia.kz LLP, said the decision was due to financial difficulties, explaining that the outlet’s revenue was insufficient to sustain its operations. He specifically stressed that there was “no hidden agenda” behind the decision.
The closure came less than two weeks after the sentencing of Orda.kz founder and former editor-in-chief Gulnara Bazhkenova. On 18 August, a court sentenced her to eight years in prison, with the sentence deferred for two years, and additionally banned her from engaging in journalistic and public activities for five years. Bazhkenova denies the charges and intends to appeal the verdict.
Giperborey takes an extended break
Journalist Vadim Boreiko, creator and host of the YouTube channel Giperborey, has also announced that he is temporarily suspending the release of new content.
Boreiko said the decision was prompted by exhaustion accumulated over seven years of work and by personal matters. According to him, he had not taken a vacation throughout that period. The journalist remains in Almaty, where a civil lawsuit filed against him by a property developer is still ongoing.
No new episodes of Giperborey or the Biz Birgemiz programme will be released during his break.
False reports about KazTAG shutting down
Against this backdrop, reports began circulating on social media claiming that another major independent outlet, the KazTAG news agency, was also about to cease operations.
Several nearly identical posts and fabricated screenshots appeared online, designed to resemble statements issued by the agency itself and by FactCheck.kz. They claimed that KazTAG would suspend operations from 7 September because of the court verdict against its Director General Asset Matayev and editor-in-chief Amir Kassenov.
The claims that the agency is shutting down are false.
At the same time, KazTAG’s vulnerability is very real. A court previously sentenced the agency’s executives to restricted freedom and banned them from engaging in journalistic activities: Asset Matayev for three years and Amir Kassenov for five years. The court ruling also provides for the recovery of a substantial amount under a civil claim.
Adil Soz considers it significant that deliberately fabricated reports about the complete shutdown of the newsroom are appearing precisely under these circumstances.
It is also notable that all of these developments are taking place against the backdrop of criminal prosecutions of journalists, professional bans, account blockings and other forms of pressure that the Foundation has documented in recent months.
Adil Soz is concerned that the combined impact of legal, economic and digital risks is steadily narrowing the space for independent journalism in Kazakhstan. The disappearance or weakening of each independent media outlet is not merely a problem for one newsroom. It reduces the number of sources from which society can obtain diverse viewpoints and information of public importance.
