OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media asks Kazakhstan to withdraw media law amendments

VIENNA, 19 June 2006 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, today asked the Kazakh authorities to withdraw from parliament a set of proposed amendments to the media law he argues would represent a setback for media freedom in Kazakhstan.

Haraszti noted in his plea that the proposed amendments contain several restrictive elements, such as high administrative fines and registration fees for media outlets, and mandatory re-registration in case of any minor changes in business data. The Government has defended the measures by arguing that they reduce the number of registered media outlets and that they "safeguard the public's trust in the media."

"However, it is against international democratic standards for the Government to define which press outlets are trusted by the public, or to decide on the right number of outlets," Haraszti said.

In the appeal, sent to the Minister of Culture and Information, Mr. Ermukhamet Ertysbayev, Haraszti said he was particularly disappointed that the amendments would ban editors whose media outlets had previously been closed by the courts from opening a new outlet in the future.

"Kazakhstan has the chance to demonstrate its commitment to become the leading media reformer in the region. It would be regrettable if this opportunity were missed with the hasty adoption of these amendments," Haraszti added.

Media NGOs and some deputies in the parliament have criticized the amendments.

"I have asked the Minister to withdraw the proposed amendments in order to allow for a public debate on media reform," Haraszti said. "Withdrawing the amendments would also pave the way for closer co-operation with the OSCE. My Office will continue assisting Kazakhstan in passing media legislation that is in compliance with OSCE principles."