14:20, 09 декабря 2022, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Darya PODOLSKAYA
Signing of an appeal by media representatives of Kyrgyzstan to international organizations with a request to help defend freedom of speech became the result of the teleconference «Media Solidarity Network: Support for the Media Sector of Kyrgyzstan».
In the appeal, the journalists emphasized that an alarming trend of rollback from the principles and values of a democratic society and an unprecedented wave of pressure on freedom of speech from the authorities, especially in Kyrgyzstan, was observed. Laws against the media are being passed in the country, illegal detentions continue, criminal cases are fabricated against journalists, courts make unlawful decisions, websites are blocked, threats against reporters and editorial offices are growing, and cyberbullying is rampant.
«We appeal to the President of Kyrgyzstan, international organizations that protect the rights of journalists, to help preserve the right to freedom of speech and pluralism of opinions in the Kyrgyz Republic. The right to disseminate information,» the signatories say.
Free media from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Lithuania and Moldova joined the petition. All of them expressed solidarity with their colleagues from the Kyrgyz Republic and noted the attacks on independent media in their countries.