Journalistic investigation: real risks and elusive protection. Journalist Mikhail Kozachkov takes a hit
On June 30, journalist Mikhail Kozachkov published a video of the magnificent wedding festivities on his telegram channel Kozachkov offside, as well as on his Facebook page. According to the journalists's rough estimates, the event cost about 50 million tenge (about 108 000 USD).
He assumed that the groom was the son of Nurlan Amanbek, the head of the Almaty administrative police.
After the information was published, the police began an official check, and exhortations and threats came thick and fast on the journalist, and insulting inscriptions were scrawled on his car.
M. Kozachkov applied to the police. He demanded to find the perpetrators and punish them under Art. 158 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan - "Interfering with legal professional activity of journalist."
It should be noted that for the entire history of the country's independence, this article was used in court only once, in 2005.
Adil Soz, in its turn, is preparing an appeal to the Ministry of Information and Social Development (MISD). Last year the ministry developed the “Regulations for supporting journalists in violation of their rights”. In our appeal we will ask how the ministry intends to protect (okay, at least “support”) Kozachkov's safety during his journalistic investigation.
By the way, the draft Concept of the Anti-Corruption Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2022-2026 contains specific prospects, namely: “to define legislative limits and guarantees for the protection of the rights of journalists; introduce state support for the media in anti-corruption investigative journalism.” But the aim set in the Concept is quite vague: "to promote the fullest use of the potential of the powers and rights of journalists in matters of fighting corruption." At the same time, MISD together with Anticorruption service should fulfuil action No. 50 of the detailed Action Plan - "Studying the issue of expanding the potential of journalists in combating corruption" in the second quarter of 2023.
