A week before Kazakhstan's Journalism Day, or more precisely, Media Workers' Day, on 19 June, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the Law on Mass Media and related laws "On introducing amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on mass media" and "On introducing amendments to the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Administrative Offences regarding mass media."
The editorial team of the FBRK has highlighted the main changes introduced to the codes and laws that directly concern the media. In particular:
- A broader concept of "mass media" has been introduced, which includes not only traditional media but also internet resources.
- The creation of a Unified Media Platform is envisaged, through which state information policy will be implemented.
- The concept of a "special status for journalists" has been introduced, implying the protection of their rights and freedoms, and expanded rights in seeking, requesting, obtaining, and disseminating information.
- Statutes of limitations (one year) have been established for claims brought against media materials.
- The procedure for the accreditation of foreign media outlets and their journalists has been improved.
- The time limits for processing requests from the media have been reduced from 7 to 5 working days.
- Mechanisms for financing state information policy have been improved through the introduction of grant funding.
- The weekly volume of television and radio programmes in the state language will be increased from 50% to 60% (a phased transition of 5%: from 2025 – 55%, from 2027 – 60%).
- The amount of domestic television and radio programmes and musical works by Kazakhstani authors/performers broadcast on domestic television and radio channels will be increased from 50% to 60%.
- The retransmission of foreign television and radio programmes on domestic television and radio channels will be reduced from 20% to 10%.
- A ban has been introduced on the dissemination of information about methods of committing suicide and incitement to suicide.
- To improve state information policy, grants will be provided to non-state media.
- Mass media will be monitored regarding the potential harm of published materials, which they could hypothetically cause to the moral development of society by calling into question universal human, national, cultural, and family values.
It should be noted that human rights defenders and media communities had previously criticised the draft Law on Mass Media. In their view, the proposed changes were too broad and potentially selective.
They stated that if the amendments to the law were adopted, media lawyers would appeal to the President to exercise the power of veto.
Whether they actually appealed to the head of state is not known to us for certain. But judging by the fact that the law has been signed, it most likely never happened.