Journalist Barred from Access to Ukimet Uyi

Journalist Zhaniya Urankayeva from Press.kz has been barred from entering the government building until the end of December 2024 for violating the rules regarding access and internal procedures of the Apparatus of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

On the morning of Friday, September 6, Government Spokesperson Maksat Tulegenov informed the editorial office that due to violations of points 68, 70, and 94 of the rules on access and internal regulations within the Government Apparatus, Press.kz correspondent Zhaniya Urankayeva’s access to the "Ukimet Uyi" building has been restricted.

In an interview with "Adil Soz," Zhaniya Urankayeva explained that two weeks ago, when the press center was moved to the second floor, effectively preventing media from working in the hallways, journalists demanded to see the document outlining these regulations. They were told that the restriction was part of the internal regulations marked "FOUO" (for official use only), meaning that media personnel were not even allowed to review them.

In a comment to Vlast magazine, Urankayeva noted that the current actions of the press office contradict the new rules, as they do not provide for denying access to the government building. According to her, she did not receive any warnings from the press office. She plans to appeal the decision.