Orda Media Closes in Kazakhstan
The Kazakh independent media outlet Orda ceased operations on September 1, citing financial insolvency. Its founder, Maksat Ganiyev, stated the outlet barely covered its costs and expressed no intention to reinvest in media.
Consensus
- Orda ceased operations on September 1.
- The closure was announced by Maksat Ganiyev, the founder and former head of Orda Media.
- Ganiyev cited financial insolvency as the sole reason for the closure.
- The outlet included its main information resource and all social media accounts, including a YouTube channel.
- Ganiyev stated the outlet did not generate enough revenue to sustain itself.
- Ganiyev said he would not invest in media again.
- Gulnara Bazhkenova, co-founder and former editor-in-chief, was sentenced to eight years in prison in August.
- Bazhkenova was convicted of spreading false information, illegal entrepreneurship, and misappropriation of property.
- The court case involved eight publications, two of which were written by Bazhkenova.
Points of divergence
- The closure was due to lack of funds to cover operational expenses, with no other reasons. — tg_currenttime
- Ganiyev described the outlet as a business project that barely broke even. — tg_echoonline_news
- The court case was triggered by eight publications, two authored by Bazhkenova and the rest by staff. — tg_echoonline_news
- Bazhkenova was detained in December 2025 and placed under house arrest. — tg_echoonline_news
- In March 2026, prior to a constitutional referendum, social media accounts of Kazakh journalists and human rights defenders were attacked, resulting in the disappearance of posts related to Bazhkenova's case. — tg_echoonline_news
- In February 2026, the court revoked the license of Murat Adam, the lawyer who defended Orda. — tg_echoonline_news
Coverage (2 sources)
- Kazakh publication Orda announced cessation of operations from September 1 — Настоящее Время
- Independent publication Orda is closing in Kazakhstan — ЭХО / Новости