Journalists will no longer be able to ask deputies of the Kurultai questions in the corridors of parliament. Media representatives will only be able to speak with elected officials in the press centre.
WHAT IS KNOWN
The change in format was announced by the deputy head of the Kurultai apparatus, Bolat Kalyanbekov. Journalists noted that for the second session in a row, access to the foyer has been cordoned off with tape, and they have had to work from the press centre.
According to Kalyanbekov, the Bureau of the Kurultai decided to change the procedure for interacting with media representatives. He cited current accreditation rules, under which the state body determines where journalists work with deputies.
"Journalists will now ask questions to deputies only in the press centre," said Kalyanbekov.
WHAT HAS CHANGED FOR JOURNALISTS
Under the previous format, journalists could approach deputies in the corridors of plenary sessions before or after the meeting and ask questions without a pre-established structure. This format allowed them to clarify answers and obtain comments on topics not on the official agenda.
Now, deputies working on bills from the session agenda will be invited to the press centre. According to Kalyanbekov, government ministers linked to the bills under consideration will also be able to attend.
FINAL RULES NOT YET ADOPTED
However, Bolat Kalyanbekov said that a final decision on the Kurultai's rules of procedure has not yet been made. According to him, the proposed format currently envisages journalists communicating with deputies only in the press centre.
Amid the new restrictions, media representatives have begun recording interviews with deputies outside the building. In one such comment, deputy Aidarbek Khojanazarov said that, if necessary, suitable venues for journalists and politicians to interact could be arranged in heated premises.
