In 2022, Kazakhstan rose in the press freedom index from 155 to 122 out of 180 countries. Despite this fact, violation of the rights of journalists continues, with increased cases of threats and intimidations of journalists. In January 2023, five attacks were committed against mass media workers in Kazakhstan.
In October 2022, the editorial office of Orda.kz received the package with the pig head in it and the torn photo of editor-in-chief Gulnar Bazhkenova, and later she received a headstone with her photo, name and date ‘2023’ on it from the funeral bureau.
On January 13, the entrance door to the editorial office of the YouTube channel ‘Elmedia’ was broken. On January 14, the car of journalist Dinara Yegeubaeva, who covers the consequences of the January events, was set to fire. On January 18, the website Ulysmedia was attacked by hackers and personal information of editor-in-chief Samal Ibraeva and her family members was leaked to the internet. On January 19, 2023, the unknown persons sealed the front door of journalist Vadim Boreiko with foam and probably wanted to set fire to it.
According to Vadim Boreiko, the latest acts of intimidation against journalists Dinara Yegeubaeva, Gulzhan Yergalieva, Gulnar Bazhkenova, Samal Ibraeva, are being coordinated from one centre.
Discrediting of power or consequences of neutrality?
According to political analyst Eduard Poletaev, it is inexpedient for the power of Kazakhstan to commit such crimes against journalists now, especially before the election to Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament. Vice versa, now the power tries to pursue the policy of pluralism and support of the civil society.
The political analysts suggests that problems could emerge because the republic has hit geopolitical turbulence.
“Kazakhstan remains neutral in the political arena, although it needs make a choice. In modern realities, journalism is the target of all such confrontations. Many people try to take advantage of the mass media and use them to promote propaganda or convey other messages, but journalists can also be victims, which discredits the current power,” Poletaev said.
Editor-in-chief of Elmedia Gulzhan Yergalieva does not rule out that attacks on journalists could be an attempt to discredit the president before the election.
“This is rather unfavourable for Tokayev, yet the power is very shaky and the level of trust in the society is not very high. They would hardly do it openly as it would be very risky and turn public opinion against him,” the journalist said.
She agreed that intelligence services of other states could be involved in attacks against journalists.
“It’s no secret that relations between Kazakhstan and Russia are not as good as they used to be. We have witnessed the attempts of Russian politicians to put pressure on Kazakhstan in their attempt to control the situation in Kazakhstan not only at the state level, but also to control public attitudes for several years,” said editor-in-chief of Elmedia.
Also, Gulzhan Yergalieva, who has been persecuted since the early 2000s (several of her media outlets were closed), has her own opinion about the nature of what is happening.
According to her, negative events taking place in Kazakhstan have the signs of revanchism, when the old power does not give up, as it fears punishment for crimes it can be charged with. She said that representatives of the so-called old power fight for their money and capitals because Tokayev has already announced the programme to return capitals illegally transferred from Kazakhstan. Now the community has also become involved and the issue has become relevant and sensitive.
Attack on a journalist is the attack on the society
According to experts, now the society needs to support media representatives more actively.
Political analyst Zamir Karazhanov feels positive that the society must change itself and determine its values.
“When the society does not understand that its future and the future of its children depend on how media work, how journalist are protected from attacks, such society will not fight for journalists’ rights. When the society sees ordinary workers in journalists, nothing will change. They will always be weak and exposed to attacks,” Karazhanov said.
According to him, the state must change its attitude to media representatives.
Journalists would be attacked less frequently once the state changes its attitude to them: a special sanction would be imposed for attacking a media representative, while the attack on a journalist would be treated as the attack on the society. Now, according to the political analyst, the law does not protect journalists, but tries to increase their responsibility for their professional activity.
Will instigators be found?
On January 20, 2023, President Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev ordered law enforcement bodies to investigate the series of crimes against journalists thoroughly.
Karlygash Dzhamankulova, head of the International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech ‘Adil soz’, said to Informburo that if the case is not properly investigated and the instigator is not identified, the responsibility will be imposed on the government in the eyes of local and international communities. It will not only cast doubt on political reforms announced, but can narrow the corridor of opportunities for economic growth as a result of serious decline in country’s indicators in international rankings.
“Those guilty of crimes against journalists are rarely identified. Now it is very difficult to get to the real instigator,” political analyst Eduard Poletaev warned.
For example, after journalist Lukpan Akhmedyarov was attacked in 2012, the criminals were found two weeks later. However, it was later found out that the detained did not attack Akhmedyarov. The real perpetrators were found only several months later, and they were convicted in 2013. The trial of the ‘instigator’ of the attack took place in 2014. However, even Lukpan Akhmedyarov has doubted that the convict was the instigator of the attack on him.
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