Corruption, Censorship, Kyrgyzstan

Courtesy of http://www.operationworld.org

Kyrgyzstan is a small country in central Asia and is one of the most dangerous places to be a journalist. Issues such as corruption and censorship are prevalent.

Reporters Without Borders created the World Press Freedom Index (WPFI). The non-government organization defends journalism and freedom of the press. It tries to protect journalists and spread awareness of people. The World Press Freedom Index is an advocacy tool based on the principle of emulation between states. They have many supporters. Moreover, they sell their own albums, photos and accept donations to be self-sustainable.

Kyrgyzstan, according Reporters Without Borders, is placed on 98 out of 195 countries on the WPFI. In 2018 Prominent opposition politician Kanatbek Isayev is sentenced to 12 years in prison on corruption charges he calls politically motivated.

Kanatbek Isayev rejecting the charges against him. Courtesy of https://www.rferl.org

In Kyrgyzstan, the government used laws against extremism to block websites, video-sharing platforms, and even the music-streaming service SoundCloud. The independent news website Zanoza was forced to remove articles that criticized then-president Almazbek Atambayev.

At least two criminal charges regarding online content were filed for inciting hatred under Article 200 of the Criminal Code. Online news outlets and journalists faced legal sanctions, including fines, for criticising state officials.

The Freedom House organisation is dedicated to the expansion of democracy and freedom around the world. The yearly report has many factors. It covers 195 countries and 14 territories. Scores are used to determine two numerical ratings, for political rights and civil liberties, with a rating of one representing the freest conditions and seven the least free. Kyrgyzstan’s score is 6.07 out of seven.

There haven’t been any journalist killed in the past three years but there have been one imprisoned and one stabbed. Being a journalist is a risky profession in a country such as Kyrgyzstan. Censorship and corruption are harming transparent journalism.

Svetlozar Apostolov is a freelance photographer and journalist. He always seeks the truth no matter what.