The editor-in-chief and co-founder of Ratel.kz, Marat Asipov, has announced the launch of a new media project, ShapalaQ. The journalist made the decision to create the publication following the death of his colleague Gennady Benditsky and the illness of Sapa Mekebayev — the two other founders of Ratel. Asipov notes that over 12 years of work, both the country and approaches to journalism have changed, necessitating the creation of a fundamentally new project.
In his address to readers, Marat Asipov detailed the reasons that prompted him to create the new media. Twelve years ago, together with Gennady Benditsky and Sapa Mekebayev, he founded Ratel.kz — a publication which, over the years, has endured blockages, criminal cases, and significant losses.
"When people leave a project they themselves created, they take with them the ideas, energy, and something intangible, after which their creation is never the same," — Asipov explains his decision.
The name Ratel was chosen by Gennady Benditsky not by chance — the honey badger symbolised a fearless little beast, ready to take on a superior opponent. This approach matched the journalistic realities of the time, when criticising the authorities was an extremely risky undertaking.
However, with the arrival of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the situation changed dramatically. Ratel was unblocked, which formed part of the systemic changes in the country. Asipov notes that now, to achieve a result, a journalist does not necessarily have to "get into a fight at every opportunity" — it is enough to clearly and convincingly demonstrate contradictions to the stated principles of fairness.
"There came the realisation that it was time to climb out of the trenches and start doing peaceful work — finding a problem, analysing it, identifying anomalous zones, and providing people with the most objective and reliable information possible," — the editor-in-chief explains the new philosophy of work.
The name of the new project — ShapalaQ — reflects its concept. This Kazakh word has a double meaning: on the one hand, it means "a slap" or "a sobering cuff" which doesn't injure but makes one think about their behaviour. On the other hand, ShapalaQ means applause and an expression of delight at what is happening.
"What these completely different actions have in common is that they are an effective stimulus, either to stop breaking the law or, conversely, to continue positive changes even more actively," — Asipov explains the philosophy of the name.
Modern journalism, according to Asipov, must take into account the changed working conditions. Authorities have become more attentive to protecting citizens' rights regarding personal data, investigative secrecy, and private life. This requires journalists to prepare materials more thoroughly and to have rock-solid evidence.
The entire team that came together over the years at Ratel supported the idea of creating the new media. Asipov notes that now they must test in practice how form affects content, and the first step on this path has already been taken.
The launch of ShapalaQ symbolises not only the journalist's personal transformation but also the evolution of the Kazakh media sphere as a whole. The shift from a confrontational model to an analytical one reflects general changes in the country and new opportunities for constructive dialogue between the media and the authorities.
The story of ShapalaQ's creation shows how personal losses and professional challenges can become a catalyst for the emergence of new media projects, adapted to changed realities and societal needs.
The new publication has already begun work, and readers can follow the articles on ShapalaQ to see how the stated philosophy of modern journalism is implemented. The experience of the Ratel team and the new approach promise interesting materials for those who value quality analysis.