OSCE Media Freedom Representative welcomes dropping of multi-million defamation claims against media outlet in Kyrgyzstan

VIENNA, 21 May 2018 – Today the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed the dropping of defamation claims against the now-defunct Kyrgyz media outlet Zanoza.kg, and its journalists Dina Maslova and Naryn Ayyp, by the former president Almazbek Atambaev.

“I am pleased that this positive move may herald a new, constructive relationship between the media and authorities in Kyrgyzstan. Disproportionate fees in civil defamation cases have a chilling effect on media freedom and may bring about the closure of outlets and thus, endanger media pluralism,” Desir said.

An online news and current affairs outlet, Zanoza.kg, along with its editors and the two journalists, faced up to 5 million Soms (500,000 EUR) in damages, following a defamation suit launched by the general prosecutor on behalf of the president in March 2017. Although Kyrgyzstan decriminalised defamation, failure to pay damages may lead to a criminal prosecution. Following an unrelated legal claim by the former owner related to a trademark dispute, Zanoza.kg ceased to exist in August 2017 and was relaunched as Kaktus Media.

“I appreciate the role civil society played in settling the dispute, in particular, those of the legal clinic, Adilet, the Media Policy Institute and Internews Kyrgyzstan,” added Desir.

The Representative raised the case of damages payable by Zanoza.kg in a public statement in April 2018 (https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/379015).

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He 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 www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.