Closure of Pravdivaya Gazeta curbs media pluralism in Kazakhstan, says OSCE media freedom representative

NEW YORK, 26 February 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed concern about the closure of the Kazakhstan newspaper Pravdivaya Gazeta, following a verdict by a district court in Almaty on 24 February.

On 10 January 2014 authorities sought to terminate the registration of the paper based on a series of minor administrative offenses in 2013, including listing an incorrect press run in the paper and an incorrect date of issuance. Authorities suspended publication of the paper twice in 2013. Similar sanctions have also been handed down to other newspapers.

“It is worrying that minor offenses like stating an incorrect publishing data and petty irregularities justify actions by the authorities of Kazakhstan that can limit freedom of the media and restrict access to information,” Mijatović said.

Mijatović said the verdict against Pravdivaya Gazeta underscores the need for legal reform. A recent legal review of the Administrative Code of Kazakhstan commissioned by her Office recommended removing disproportionate penalties. 

“I am concerned about the number of cases of media closures and suspensions in recent years in Kazakhstan. This has a negative impact on media pluralism and I urge the authorities to take decisive steps to reverse this trend,” Mijatović said.

Mijatović is in New York participating in an international conference on media freedom.

The recent legal review of the Administrative Code in Kazakhstan is available here: www.osce.org/fom/106021. 

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom, and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on facebook.com/osce.rfom.