Russian TV Channels: Balayeva Comments on Whether There Will Be Restrictions

Journalists asked Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva whether the government should restrict access to Russian content to make room for Kazakhstani content, Orda.kz reports.

Aida Balayeva said such measures are not planned, as the market determines demand.

This is a market. Demand determines supply. We cannot close access. You yourself are looking for products not only from Kazakhstan, but also from abroad because you see that this or that material is being actively discussed. You show interest and, of course, watch. The market is developing freely. We cannot limit it, deprive our viewers of the right to choose and dictate what to watch,  noted Balayeva.

The government intends to support the development of domestic content. A new bill provides for the creation of a special fund in the country to finance creative industry projects.

We must promote the development of the creative industry at the state level, which significantly contributes to the economy around the world. We see how tourism and the film industry are developing. In just two or three years, we see how many domestic films have appeared, added Aida Balayeva.

When asked about the development of content in the Kazakh language, the Minister replied that the demand for products in the Kazakh language is currently high:

80% of the audience consumes content in the Kazakh language. Today, I can genuinely say that cinema and art are Kazakh, the state language. Therefore, of course, the market is oriented towards this, and we are working in this direction. All our products are released both in Kazakh and Russian, but we are oriented towards the consumer,  the Minister said.

Orignal Author: Zhadra Zhulmukhametova