Journalists VS Ministry of Culture: Court Dismisses Journalists’ Claim

Astana's Interdistrict Court for Civil Cases considered litigation filed by 12 journalists against the Ministry of Culture. They attempted to challenge parts of the "Model Regulations of Accreditation."

Journalists believed the order was put into effect illegally; it had not been registered with the state and was not officially published.

They also argue that the rules restrict free speech:

It is permitted to distribute information only in the media outlet that issued the accreditation. Violating these requirements twice may result in the loss of permanent accreditation,the regulations stipulate. 

The court dismissed the claim, stating that the accreditation regulations do not violate freedom of speech but merely establish the procedure for receiving and disseminating information.

The court also noted that accreditation gives all media equal conditions for receiving information and does not prohibit posting it, for example, on social networks.

Original Author: Orda