Closure of newspaper "Pravdivaya Gazeta" curbs media pluralism in Kazakhstan says OSCE media freedom representative
27 february 2014
February 27, 2014
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed concern about the closure of the Kazakhstan newspaper "Pravdivaya Gazeta", following a verdict by a district court in Almaty on 24 February, 2014.
“It is worrying that minor offenses like stating an incorrect publishing data and petty irregularities justify actions by the authorities of Kazakhstan that can limit freedom of the media and restrict access to information,” Mijatović said. She participated in an international conference on media freedom on February 26, 2014 in New York.
Mijatović said the verdict against Pravdivaya Gazeta underscores the need for legal reform. A recent legal review of the Administrative Code of Kazakhstan commissioned by her Office recommended removing disproportionate penalties.
“I am concerned about the number of cases of media closures and suspensions in recent years in Kazakhstan. This has a negative impact on media pluralism and I urge the authorities to take decisive steps to reverse this trend,” Mijatović said.
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed concern about the closure of the Kazakhstan newspaper "Pravdivaya Gazeta", following a verdict by a district court in Almaty on 24 February, 2014.
“It is worrying that minor offenses like stating an incorrect publishing data and petty irregularities justify actions by the authorities of Kazakhstan that can limit freedom of the media and restrict access to information,” Mijatović said. She participated in an international conference on media freedom on February 26, 2014 in New York.
Mijatović said the verdict against Pravdivaya Gazeta underscores the need for legal reform. A recent legal review of the Administrative Code of Kazakhstan commissioned by her Office recommended removing disproportionate penalties.
“I am concerned about the number of cases of media closures and suspensions in recent years in Kazakhstan. This has a negative impact on media pluralism and I urge the authorities to take decisive steps to reverse this trend,” Mijatović said.
