Affiliated media: Media in Kyrgyzstan

Incident date: March 30, 2020

Attack type:

• Non-physical and/or cyber-attacks and threats

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: School of Peacemaking and Media Technology

Location: Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek

Additional information:

Authorities refused to accredit the media during the state of emergency for covering the coronavirus pandemic, according to Bishkek commandant Almazbek Orozaliev. He explained that the decision was made for the safety and health of journalists. “Laws exist for everyone, including the media. What’s more, questions are all sent through messaging apps. We have analysed the situation, and this is needed primarily for journalists’ health. Media in many different countries is working at a distance. All questions can be asked to the press-centre, and to the telephone hotline”, said Almaz Orozaliev. However, Article 17 Part 9 of the Kyrgyzstani legal code concerning a state of emergency establishes “a certain procedure for accreditation of journalists in the country during a state of emergency”. The law does not outline norms about the refusal of accreditation. Journalists and media workers in Kyrgyzstan have in turn stepped forward with a statement to authorities in defence of their right