Minister of Culture Addresses Pressure on Journalists 

The Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aida Balayeva, spoke about ongoing pressure on journalists and the circulation of threats against them, Orda.kz reports.

The Minister described such actions as attempts to undermine the state itself.

It is clear that new technologies dictate new working conditions. And it is obvious that we must improve our work in this direction. But again, I will say that the work on identifying and preparing orders to individual government agencies to block such resources is carried out systematically and around the clock,
said Balayeva. 

In response to questions about threats targeting journalists, including Gulnara Bazhkenova and Askhat Niyazov, the Minister stated:

This is done not only to discredit or intimidate individual independent journalists, it is done to discredit state bodies and the state as a whole. That is, they are practically, one might say, our enemies. And we must fight them. 

Balayeva noted that law enforcement agencies are currently investigating such incidents.

Journalists — including editor-in-chief Gulnara Bazhkenova — have faced sustained pressure, threats, and harassment for the past six months. Individuals, claiming to be police officers, have visited the homes of staff members, questioned neighbors, and circulated photofits while claiming that the journalists are wanted.

Fake social media accounts have also been created using the names and photographs of the journalists. These accounts have disseminated false information, including fabricated reports of the death of Gulnara Bazhkenova.

Original Author: Zhadra Zhulmukhametova