A correspondent for the publication Press.kz Zhaniya Urankayeva has been restricted from entering the government building until the end of 2024. The journalist wrote about this on her personal Facebook page.
Zhaniya Urankayeva said that on the day of the government meeting on 27 August, media workers were told that the press centre, which used to be on the third floor where the ministers met, had been moved to the second floor.
Furthermore, under the new rules, the media's area of work must now be limited exclusively to the press zone, which will prevent journalists from obtaining necessary information first-hand – a whole floor now separates officials from correspondents.
The journalist asked the head of the government's press service, Maksat Tulegenov, to provide documentary proof of the new rules, which significantly complicate the work of the media.
However, Mr Tulegenov did not provide any documents, citing "official use only".
On 6 September, the head of Press.kz received an official letter regarding the restriction of access for Ms Urankayeva.
"On the basis that the government building is a particularly important state facility, approved rules on the access and internal regime for employees and visitors apply. Due to violations of these rules and ignoring repeated warnings and reprimands, this journalist's access to the government building is restricted from 5 September 2024 to 31 December 2024", - stated Maksat Tulegenov.
For her part, the journalist insists she has not received any written warnings about violating the rules.
Zhaniya Urankayeva is convinced that this case is a manifestation of censorship and a ban on the profession.
"How should we understand such bans? We were afraid that the new rules would give state bodies free rein and a witch hunt would begin", - the journalist wrote.
It is worth recalling that the new law "On Mass Media" includes, among other things, the rights of a journalist. In particular, a journalist has the right "to collect, process, prepare messages and materials, to request, receive and disseminate information".
Furthermore, a media worker is entitled "to visit state bodies, organisations of all forms of ownership and be received by their officials in connection with the performance of their official duties".
One might well ask whether this situation corresponds to lawful measures or whether it will become a new form of censorship restrictions.