OSCE media freedom representative reviews Kyrgyzstan's media legislation
VIENNA, 7 November 2005 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklós Haraszti, has written to the Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan, welcoming positive signs in the legal situation of the media but outlining a number of areas of concern.
The letter comes after his office conducted comprehensive reviews of all legislation in Kyrgyzstan that might influence the state of freedom of the media there.
The reviews he sent to the Kyrgyz Government focus on the media law and the law on the professional activity of journalists; civil and criminal libel; the law on the protection of state secrets; and the new draft law on the freedom and guarantees of access to information.
The reviews provide detailed comments on where the laws fall short of international media commitments and standards, and offer comprehensive suggestions on how to improve the situation.
In his letter to the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister, Alibek Djekshenkulov, Haraszti wrote: "While the reviews provide some very positive signs with regard to the legal situation concerning media, there are still a number of issues which are of concern and hinder the activity of journalists and the functioning of the media in your country.
"I hope the reviews will inspire legislators and prove useful in forthcoming parliamentary discussions - and that the result will present itself in improved media legislation complying with OSCE media freedom principles" he added.
The reviews are part of the OSCE Work Plan for Kyrgyzstan, which was agreed on with the Kyrgyz authorities.