Journalists ask for President of the Republic of Kazakhstan using his authority for recall of draft law “On Internet Regulation”
20 april 2009
On April 20, 2009 Heads of Mass Media and NGO’s have conducted press conference. They have said to journalists about their intention to meet with President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and tell him about real situation, connected with the activity of mass media.
State structures do not provide public important information for journalists. There were often cases of attacks on journalists; a grand number of civil and criminal prosecutions during activity of mass media in struggle for corruption; long-term legal proceedings, which were finished by unthinkable recovery as moral damage or sentences. Now, three journalists are in prison for their professional activity. There was none of cases in history of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The process of liberalization of law “On Mass Media”, promised before chairmanship in OSCE is becoming a farce. Ministry of Internal Affairs makes draft law “On Softening of Responsibility for Defamation” during two years. It was done in spite of principal decriminalization of libel and insult. Liberal amendments of 2008 in law “On Mass Media” have been such sufficient and did not solve any problem of the activity of mass media in favor of society. They presented tendency of real strengthening of principles of freedom of expression, consolidated in Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan. However, draft law of Agency of Information and Communication of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On State Internet Regulation”, which is in Majilis of Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It does not give any hopes to democratic reformation of law “On Mass Media”.
State officials want to deprive citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan from rights, concerning information in Internet and their reaction. Themes of elections, meetings and international relationships for all national mass media are prohibited by norms of draft law practically. These prohibitions and restrictions are humiliating for people and worthless of Kazakhstan.
In 2004 President of the Republic of Kazakhstan put a veto upon reactionary law “On Mass Media”, which was adopted by Parliament. Participants of appeal think that President has to use his authority for recall of draft law “On Internet”, control illegal actions of state officials and make active law reform “On Mass Media” in the public interest.
State structures do not provide public important information for journalists. There were often cases of attacks on journalists; a grand number of civil and criminal prosecutions during activity of mass media in struggle for corruption; long-term legal proceedings, which were finished by unthinkable recovery as moral damage or sentences. Now, three journalists are in prison for their professional activity. There was none of cases in history of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The process of liberalization of law “On Mass Media”, promised before chairmanship in OSCE is becoming a farce. Ministry of Internal Affairs makes draft law “On Softening of Responsibility for Defamation” during two years. It was done in spite of principal decriminalization of libel and insult. Liberal amendments of 2008 in law “On Mass Media” have been such sufficient and did not solve any problem of the activity of mass media in favor of society. They presented tendency of real strengthening of principles of freedom of expression, consolidated in Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan. However, draft law of Agency of Information and Communication of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On State Internet Regulation”, which is in Majilis of Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It does not give any hopes to democratic reformation of law “On Mass Media”.
State officials want to deprive citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan from rights, concerning information in Internet and their reaction. Themes of elections, meetings and international relationships for all national mass media are prohibited by norms of draft law practically. These prohibitions and restrictions are humiliating for people and worthless of Kazakhstan.
In 2004 President of the Republic of Kazakhstan put a veto upon reactionary law “On Mass Media”, which was adopted by Parliament. Participants of appeal think that President has to use his authority for recall of draft law “On Internet”, control illegal actions of state officials and make active law reform “On Mass Media” in the public interest.
