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.
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