1. Media & democracy

2. “If it were left on me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” - Thomas Jefferson

3. What makes the Media so important? Lifeline of a nation Keeps us informed Connects people Wide reach and access Watchdog of the nation Creates public opinion

4. Media and Democracy A democracy is a government of the people, for the people and by the people. Thus, the public opinion is an important aspect. The people in turn could hold the government accountable and change it, if they knew what is was doing. So, there is a need to inform the people of things around them so that there is a check on the government. And media is the one who informs them.

5. Media in Kazakhstan: Reccomendations by OSF

6. Issue The main framework document for the process of digital switch-over in Kazakhstan is the Law on Television and Radio Broadcasting, adopted hastily in 2012, after minimal civil society input. Th e law does not include provisions for public interest, is vague, and carries a risk of arbitrary interpretation, a routine tool of government interference.

7. Recommendation The government should ensure the substantive participation of civil society in preparing bylaws related to digital switch-over. Th ese bylaws should defi ne the public interest and place it at the center of the switch-over process, introduce stricter safeguards for editorial independence, and provide for the fair and equal treatment of broadcasters. In addition, an advisory body comprising NGO activists, industry actors, and technical experts should be established under the auspices of Parliament, to monitor the implementation of digital switch-over.

8. Issue A set of amendments to the media-related laws commonly referred to as the Internet Law has defi ned all internet resources—including social networking websites and other outlet for UGC—as mass media. This ensures that all internet content remains subject to the country’s restrictive media regulation, which helps the authorities to silence critical outlets; the new law has already been used on a number of occasions to muzzle dissent online.

9. Recommendation The stakeholders who led protests in 2008 against the Internet Law—including media NGOs, online businesses, independent media, and individual internet users—should maintain pressure for internet freedom, raising the issue in the media and at internet-related forums, particularly international events. Instances of content-blocking and fi ltering should be widely publicized, with civil society campaigning for the reasons behind each instance to be made public, as well as using strategic litigation to challenge decisions to block sites.

10. Issue The government has not published information on how the digital dividend, the spectrum freed up by the transition to digital broadcasting, will be used. There is no public discussion on the allocation of this public good. Recommendation The Ministry of Culture and Information and the Ministry of Transport and Communications should publish proposals on the allocation of digital dividend, and ensure civil society participation in relevant debates and public consultations.

11. Issue There are no mechanisms to ensure the independence of the broadcasting regulator from the government. Lack of independence is ingrained in the system, as regulation is performed by the Ministry of Culture and Information rather than a separate body and members are appointed by the president or Parliament, which is controlled by the president’s party, Nur Otan. There is no debate in society about a need for transition to independent regulatory bodies.

12. Recommendation Media advocacy organizations should initiate a series of awareness-raising events to stimulate public and professional debate about regulatory independence, and start advocating for legal changes aimed at introducing independent regulatory bodies.