Balayeva Sees No Freedom of Speech Issues in Kazakhstan
Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva sees no problems with freedom of speech in Kazakhstan, Orda.kz reports.
On the sidelines of the Majilis, Balayeva stated that Kazakhstanis can freely express their opinions, including through petitions.
I think that in our country there are absolutely no problems with freedom of speech. (...) The principle of law and order is preserved, and this is very pleasing. Therefore, I think that everything is fine with freedom of speech, the Minister believes.
The journalists reminded her that Kazakhstan ranks 142nd out of 180 countries in the freedom of speech ranking of the international organization Reporters Without Borders.
Ratings are different, as are evaluation methods. But let's really look at where the limits are. They write and criticize whatever they want. Sometimes they really criticize very harshly. Where are the limits here? I don't see any limits and I believe that all the conditions have been created in Kazakhstan for the media to actively develop and work,
she added.
She cited the lawsuit brought by journalists against the Ministry of Culture over accreditation regulations as an example.
The media lost the case, but the Minister called it a civilized dialogue.
Balayeva also asked what it is like to head the Ministry of Information, which journalists take to court.
We live in an open society, and this is normal. All this is resolved within the legal framework, I do not see any difficulties or problems in this. <...> It is better to consider the issue within the legal framework than to be a Minister who applies some punitive measures. We do not have such measures. We work constructively with you. All issues are resolved in a civilized manner and within the legal framework, Balayeva said.
Recently, the Astana Interdistrict Civil Court rejected a lawsuit filed by nine journalists against the Ministry of Culture and Information.
The media representatives, including Orda.kz employees, tried to have the new accreditation regulations revoked.
Read also:
Latest news
- Kazakhstan Khalkyna Foundation Expands Support for Healthcare, Education and Sports
- Former Massimov Son-in-Law Loses Terminal at Dostyk Station
- Bathing in the Pond and Damaging Trees: Almaty Botanical Garden Tightens Rules After Vandalism
- Kazakhstan Announces Launch of New Political Party Adilet Ahead of Kurultai Elections
- Government Decides Fate of Hundreds of Thousands of Hectares of Former Semipalatinsk Test Site
- Deputies Want Firefighters Given Power to Break Through Barriers and Blocking Cars
- Kazakhstan to Create National Rating Agency
- Less Than 1% of Employees in Kazakhstan Work Remotely
- Air Astana and FlyArystan Fined for Submitting Inaccurate Aviation Fuel Data
- Chinese Tourist Arrivals in Kazakhstan Rose Sharply in 2025, Analysts Say
- New Tax Code Has Not Slowed Business Growth in Kazakhstan, MNE Says
- Kazakhstan Plans Sharp Increase in Minimum Wage
- Tax Authorities to Start Checking Mobile Transfers in Kazakhstan From April 15
- After Outcry Over Altyn-Emel, Stretch of Highway Cleared of Garbage
- Ministry of Finance to Withdraw Idle Funds From Accounts of State Companies
- Illegal Resource Extraction Stopped in Taldykorgan
- Fewer Apartments Are Being Bought in Astana as Market Slump Enters Third Month
- Government Criticizes Idea of Dog Tax in Kazakhstan
- Kazakhstan Records Lowest Neonatal Mortality Rate in Central Asia
- Kazakhstan Imposes Six-Month Ban on Cattle and Small Livinestock Exports
