Head of the Information Policy Service Daiyrbek Orunbekov and U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Lesslie Viguerie discussed issues of cooperation in the field of information. Press Office of the head of state provided the details.
Daiyrbek Orunbekov confirmed the Kyrgyz side’s commitment to protecting freedom of speech and the principles of a democratic society. He stressed that all conditions for the work of independent media have been created in the Kyrgyz Republic.
«Our only requirement, which applies to all media, is compliance with national legislation prohibiting dissemination of false information, as well as objectivity in the dissemination of data, including during conflict and military situations,» the head of the service noted, adding that all legal proceedings, including in relation to the media, should take place strictly within the legal framework.
Lesslie Viguerie said that Kyrgyzstan remains a country that adheres to the principles of protecting freedom of speech and stands for a strong civil society.
The parties also discussed the situation around Radio Azattyk, noting the special role of the latter in the development of independent journalism.
On October 27, the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan announced that it had suspended the operation of Radio Azattyk website for two months. The ministry noted that on September 16, the Current Time resource (subordinate structure of Azattyk Media) published a video entitled «Heavy fighting on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan», in which «elements of hate speech, unconfirmed information about the alleged attack by the Kyrgyz side on Tajikistan were used, as well as information that aggravates the situation in society and causes hatred, discrimination and division among citizens when covering events in Batken region.»
Kyrgyzstan’s media community has expressed its concern over the Kyrgyz government’s continued harassment of independent journalists and attempts to restrict media freedom, saying that the ministry should withdraw the lawsuit.
As the human rights activists note, Kyrgyz authorities have recently increased efforts to control and censor mass media amid a continued crackdown on freedom of expression and civil society.
