Open information that is not open for everyone

Journalists of some mass media applied with an open letter to the akim (governor) of Almaty Bauyrzhan Baybek and initiated signature collection campaign. The letter informs that on August 10 the correspondent of the news agency KazTAG was not allowed to attend the meeting of the Public Council devoted to the security issues of the city, moreover, the press service of the akimat (governor's office) was very selective in inviting journalists.

Commentary of "Adil Soz":

The "Adil Soz" Foundation supports this appeal and states that unfortunately it is a common situation. Such behavior of the press services is hardly be called otherwise then direct discrimination in freedom of receiving information. Officials violate the principle of equal access to information stipulated by paragraph 5 of Art. 4 of the law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Access to Information".

We can often find  advice on the Internet that journalists should apply to law enforcement agencies with a demand to bring guilty officials to criminal liability under art. 158 of the Penal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan  "Interfering with legal professional activity of journalist". Yes, such a norm exists, but it is not easy to get a criminal case initiated. It is more effective to file a complaint about the illegal actions of an official to a higher authority and to the Agency of the Civil Service and Anti-Corruption Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

When a journalist whose rights have been violated, decides to challenge illegal actions of an official, he/she must have clear understanding of his/her aims: to start a row, to get a news hook for covering it in social networks or  to change the situation and to make the official stop determining at his/her own pleasure what media and journalists to admit to the event. If the journalist intends to change the situation, it is more effective to appeal against illegal actions of an official to higher authorities, including  the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.