Subject: [CivilSoc] TV "strike" in Kazakhstan
From: Center for Civil Society International (ccsi@u.washington.edu)
Date: Tue Jan 30 2001 - 15:43:14 EST
This item comes from the FSUmedia list <fsumedia@internews.ru>
Television and radio companies of Kazakhstan are against suppression
of Mass Media
January 30, 2001
Today seven television companies of Kazakhstan: TC "RIKA-TV"
(Aktyubinsk City), TC "Otyrar (Shymkent City), TRC "Adan" (Karaganda
City), TC "Kalken-TV" (Ust-Kamenogorsk),TC "Labris" (Ekibastuz
City),TC "Channel 43" and TC "Channel 29" (Temirtau City) have
entirely suspended broadcasting for one day. Only local newscasts
and programs will be put on the air. This action of protest is
conducted against suggested amendments to law "On mass media".
The law "On mass media" of Kazakhstan entered into legal force in
July 1999. The draft-law provoked keen discussions even before it was
approved. However, many amendments suggested by journalists at the
time, while discussing the draft-law, simply were not brought in.
The representative office of Internews Network in Kazakhstan prepared
an alternative draft-law, which was examined by "Law and Mass Media
Center" in Moscow, approved by journalists of Kazakhstan and passed
to the Ministry of culture, information and public consent. This
draft-law took into account specific character of informational
business (there is no separate law "On television and radio
broadcasting" in Kazakhstan). And after one a half year the
government of Kazakhstan decided to "edit" the operating law.
The draft-law with the suggested amendments was brought in for
examination of Mazhilis (lower chamber) of the parliament of the
Republic of Kazakhstan by the Decree of the Government # 1637 of
October 31, which was signed by the Premier-Minister of Kazakhstan K.
Tokayev. According to his explanations in the accompanying note to
the draft-law: "Given changes are called up to support local mass
media".
Journalists of Kazakhstan believe that "the great ether revolution"
will destroy local mass media. Journalists and professional
non-governmental associations are coming forward against some of the
main amendments, which provide for:
- limitation of retransmission of foreign mass media up to 20 per
cent from the total broadcasting volume;
- requirement for registration of web-sites in the capacity of mass
media;
- increasing responsibility for quotation.
Today almost all television channels are occupied with retransmission
both in the capital, and in Almaty, as well as in regions and small
towns. These channels do not have the power to fill up the ether
with their own programs due to the fact that they cannot afford the
production expenses; therefore, retransmission occupies more than
half of broadcasting time of these companies. Shortening of
retransmission time may lead to substantial reduction of total
broadcasting time of television channels. As a result, television
companies might lose advertisers, which means that they might lose
their only source of revenue. Limitation of retransmission is a
violation of the Constitution of the RK, which guarantees a right for
free receipt and dissemination of information by any legal method.
Journalists of Kazakhstan, directors of independent television and
radio companies of Kazakhstan, the representative office of the
International public organization "Internews" and the International
Foundation for protection of freedom of speech "Adil Soz" collected
about 300 signatures under "Address to deputies" and simultaneously
distributed it among all mass media and public organizations.
A round table was conducted on November 25, 2001 in Mazhilis of the
Parliament, where officials and journalists discussed suggested
amendments to law "On mass media". However, constuctive dialogue did
not take place.
"We have many times come forward against amendments. However, nobody
listened to us. And then we realized that our words did not reach
the authorities." Participants of the action say: "This means that
we need to get down to business. Journalists understand that
independent informational policy is threatened. This isn't a strike
and we are not calling up for extreme actions. But we believe that
we have a right for this sort of expression of protest."
Today mass media reported that discussion of amendments of the
draft-law to law "On mass media" scheduled for the last plenum
session of Mazhilis in January is now postponed until later date due
to unknown reasons.
You can find additional information in Russian on the Internet cite of
Internews in bulletins for the year 2000.
# 39 (90) http://www.internews.kz/rus/bulletin/090index.htm
# 40 (91) http://www.internews.kz/rus/bulletin/091index.htm
# 41 (92) http://www.internews.kz/rus/bulletin/092index.htm
# 42 (93) http://www.internews.kz/rus/bulletin/093index.htm
# 43 (94) http://www.internews.kz/rus/bulletin/094index.htm
For the year 2001:
# 1 (95) http://www.internews.kz/rus/bulletin/095index.htm
# 2 (96) http://www.internews.kz/rus/bulletin/096index.htm
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