Kazakhstan restricts journalists in government corridors
Kazakhstan is tightening rules for journalists in government corridors, restricting recording and on-the-spot interviews, with all questions now required to be asked in a press center during sessions. Similar measures were previously implemented in the government and parliament.
Consensus
- Journalists in Kazakhstan are being restricted from recording or speaking with participants in parliamentary and government sessions.
- Questions must now be asked only in a press center where sessions are broadcast.
- The changes follow existing accreditation rules that allow government bodies to designate where journalists can work.
- Journalists can no longer freely access deputies and participants in corridors.
- Only deputies and government members involved in drafting legislation will be allowed to speak to the press.
- Exclusive interviews are possible only through direct written requests to individual deputies.
- Similar restrictions were previously introduced in the government of Kazakhstan.
- In 2024, new accreditation rules came into effect in Kazakhstan, allowing journalists to be denied access for violations.
Points of divergence
- The changes were adopted following a government decision, and journalists will be allowed to ask questions only in the press center where sessions are streamed. — kommersant
- The Bureau of the Parliament is currently developing a new format of work, and the decision was made after a plenary session. — interfax
- The Russian State Duma banned filming plenary sessions in January, citing disruption to work and photographer health. — kommersant
Coverage (2 sources)
- In Kazakhstan, rules for journalists working in the backrooms of state bodies will be tightened — Коммерсантъ
- In Kazakhstan, rules for journalists working in the backrooms of state bodies are being tightened — Интерфакс