The European Union is ready to support independent journalism. EU Deputy Head of Mission to Kyrgyzstan Raimonds Vingris said at a round table, where participants discuss the pressure on freedom of speech and the media.
According to him, the Kyrgyz Republic has the most active civil society, and the media ensure freedom of speech.
«The constitution is designed to protect freedom of speech. Regulation of the flow of disinformation, responsibility for its dissemination should be proportional. Fake news must be blocked and suppressed, but without restricting freedom of speech. We are ready to support independent journalism in the country, including through the exchange of experience,» Raimonds Vingris added.
In turn, MP Chingiz Aidarbekov said that independence and a large number of media outlets were the guarantor of society’s freedom. «Responsibility for disinformation should be proportional, not repressive,» he agreed with the representative of the European Union.
Recall, seven deputies of Parliament — Zhanar Akaev, Adakhan Madumarov, Elmurza Satybaldiev, Gulya Kozhokulova, Dastan Bekeshev, Seyid Atambayev and Chingiz Aidarbekov — initiate amendments to the law of ex-deputy Gulshat Asylbaeva «On Protection from Inaccurate (False) Information».
The discriminatory document was adopted by the sixth convocation in violation of all procedures of the regulations. Representatives of the media community and experts have repeatedly stated that the law is directed against independent media. The blocking of Azattyk website, Respublica and the partial blocking of 24.kg news agency are proof of this.
Sadyr Japarov signed the law «On protection against inaccurate (false) information», initiated by MP Gulshat Asylbaeva on August 23, 2021.
