Attacks on independent media in Kyrgyzstan

Via IFEX, I received a couple of Emails lamenting the attack on Editor-in-chief of “Zhany muun” newspaper, Jyldyz Bekbayeva, and Mahmud Kazakbayev, a reporter with “Demos Times” newspaper and the founder of Allians-Press advertising agency.

Just yesterday, the Times of Central Asia, an English-language publication from Bishkek, was closed down amidst unclear charges. Laurence had it on Registan yesterday.

Can there be a connection between these three incidents? I don’t think so. The first two assaults rather speak for a grown lawlessness in the Kyrgyz south. The Karasuu incident is clearly linked to organised crime, whereas the attack in Osh should be seen in the light of the Ombudsman Tursunbai Bakir’s wounded pride. The Times of Central Asia, though not a very prominent news source for us internet users, is widely read on the spot – catering for the NGO-folks in Bishkek and beyond. The reasons for its closure seem all but blurry until now. One cannot say much about it before more information sees the light of day.

These news come at the same time RFE/RL runs a story on independent media in Kyrgyzstan:

It may prove a long and difficult process [the transformation to a totally independent media] . But Kyrgyzstan does appear to be the only country in Central Asia capable of making such a move. With its existing small but independent media, the foundations are already there.

Kyrgyzstan has, after the March events, still a long way to go before one can speak of a truly free media landscape. The article discusses impediments that might obstruct progress on this way, such as the involvement of Russian-style media oligarchs with a political agenda (well, they are not only found in Moscow).

The three incidents under discussion in this post should not generate a biased picture, they should rather point at problems that cannot be solved by good legislation only: Criminals, local administration, and regional power struggles can be more dangerous for a free press. Bekbayeva and Kazakbayev would most probably agree.

Update:Matt responds to the Registan post over the Times closure:

I always found the Times to be fairly pro-Akayev. Nevertheless Bakiyev is getting away with destroying one of the most liberal environments Central Asia has, without a word of condemnation from the West. I appreciate the sentiments of “maintaining stability” but surely this guy is behaving no better than his predecessor. Theres an interesting article about the media situation over at the Central Asia – Caucusus Analyst, the link is on my blog for those interested.

The article mentioned is here. It offers a more sombre view than the RFE/RL piece.

So far, unfortunately, the electoral campaign and the post-election developments indicate that the new regime is wary of implementing real democratic reforms, most importantly the reform of mass media.

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