Public organizations have expressed their disagreement with regard to actions of "Kazteleradio"
21 may 2012
May 21, 2012
Representatives of public media organizations – International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech "Adil Soz", National Association of Television and Radio Broadcasters of Kazakhstan and "Internews – Kazakhstan" have sent an open letter to President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Karim Masimov and Chairman of Majilis of Parliament Nurlan Nigmatulin.
Open Letter
To:
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
N. A. Nazarbayev
Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan
K. K. Masimov
Chairman of Majilis of Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan
N. Z. Nigmatulin
There is a great role of national television and radio broadcasting during fulfillment of state tasks. Its role is commonly known. We express deep disappointment that JSC "Kazteleradio" makes actions under the pretext of preparation of transfer of television and radio broadcasting of Kazakhstan to digital format. These actions contradict to interests of the society, state and fundamental laws of Kazakhstan.
Currently, there is a preparatory period to ensure that all Kazakhstan's people can watch all "on-air" national television channels not freely as now, but in a system of conditional access.
Allegedly, the system of conditional access is necessary for interests of foreign right holders. It is a nonsence, because "on-air television and radio broadcasting" transmit the signal on territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. However, JSC "Kazteleradio" in March of 2012 has made an announcement, concerning tender of state purchaces, relating to a system of conditional access for encoding of television programs on digital terrestrial broadcasting. They stated about their readiness to call winners. It means that television viewers should purchase the additional equipment and state should spend numerous funds.
These actions contradict to the law "On Television and Radio Broadcasting" of the Republic of Kazakhstan roughly. The broadcasting of television channels of obligatory and free access is implemented without of clamping to the equipment of concrete producer. The installation of system of conditional access on digital terrestrial broadcasting will restrict the right of citizens to free access to television channels, which are guaranteed by law. The population of kazakhstan should purchace receiver from concrete producers. It will lead to noncompetitive prices and confiederacy of equipment sellers. As a result of it there will be a decreased number of television viewers of national telechannels, low level of their popularity. It directly contravene to "Strategy of Information Security of the Republic of Kazakhstan till 2015".
Decisions, with regard to development of national television should be taken, in accordance with the law "On Television and Radio Broadcasting" on governmental level with compulsory participation of the publicity.
It follows from the foregoing we ask you:
1. Cancel the tender of state purchaces of a system of conditional access for encoding of television programs on digital terrestrial broadcasting as irrelevant to legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and contradictory to interests of the society;
2. Take under parliamentarian control actions of state bodies and market participants of transfer to digital broadcasting;
3. Fully conduct an expertise of subordinate acts to the law"On Television and Radio Broadcasting" of the Republic of Kazakhstan and organize participation in its elaboration and evaluation of business subjects and civil society.
Executive Director of National Association of Television and Radio Broadcasters of Kazakhstan
Sholpan Zhaksybayeva,
President of International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech "Adil Soz"
Tamara Kaleyeva,
Executive Director of "Internews – Kazakhstan"
Marzhan Elshibayeva.
Representatives of public media organizations – International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech "Adil Soz", National Association of Television and Radio Broadcasters of Kazakhstan and "Internews – Kazakhstan" have sent an open letter to President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Karim Masimov and Chairman of Majilis of Parliament Nurlan Nigmatulin.
Open Letter
To:
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
N. A. Nazarbayev
Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan
K. K. Masimov
Chairman of Majilis of Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan
N. Z. Nigmatulin
There is a great role of national television and radio broadcasting during fulfillment of state tasks. Its role is commonly known. We express deep disappointment that JSC "Kazteleradio" makes actions under the pretext of preparation of transfer of television and radio broadcasting of Kazakhstan to digital format. These actions contradict to interests of the society, state and fundamental laws of Kazakhstan.
Currently, there is a preparatory period to ensure that all Kazakhstan's people can watch all "on-air" national television channels not freely as now, but in a system of conditional access.
Allegedly, the system of conditional access is necessary for interests of foreign right holders. It is a nonsence, because "on-air television and radio broadcasting" transmit the signal on territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. However, JSC "Kazteleradio" in March of 2012 has made an announcement, concerning tender of state purchaces, relating to a system of conditional access for encoding of television programs on digital terrestrial broadcasting. They stated about their readiness to call winners. It means that television viewers should purchase the additional equipment and state should spend numerous funds.
These actions contradict to the law "On Television and Radio Broadcasting" of the Republic of Kazakhstan roughly. The broadcasting of television channels of obligatory and free access is implemented without of clamping to the equipment of concrete producer. The installation of system of conditional access on digital terrestrial broadcasting will restrict the right of citizens to free access to television channels, which are guaranteed by law. The population of kazakhstan should purchace receiver from concrete producers. It will lead to noncompetitive prices and confiederacy of equipment sellers. As a result of it there will be a decreased number of television viewers of national telechannels, low level of their popularity. It directly contravene to "Strategy of Information Security of the Republic of Kazakhstan till 2015".
Decisions, with regard to development of national television should be taken, in accordance with the law "On Television and Radio Broadcasting" on governmental level with compulsory participation of the publicity.
It follows from the foregoing we ask you:
1. Cancel the tender of state purchaces of a system of conditional access for encoding of television programs on digital terrestrial broadcasting as irrelevant to legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan and contradictory to interests of the society;
2. Take under parliamentarian control actions of state bodies and market participants of transfer to digital broadcasting;
3. Fully conduct an expertise of subordinate acts to the law"On Television and Radio Broadcasting" of the Republic of Kazakhstan and organize participation in its elaboration and evaluation of business subjects and civil society.
Executive Director of National Association of Television and Radio Broadcasters of Kazakhstan
Sholpan Zhaksybayeva,
President of International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech "Adil Soz"
Tamara Kaleyeva,
Executive Director of "Internews – Kazakhstan"
Marzhan Elshibayeva.
