Kyrgyzstan Enacts Strict Media Law, Sparking Censorship Fears

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has signed a controversial new law “On Mass Media,” which officially took effect on August 7. While the government frames the legislation as a necessary step to modernize the media landscape and protect it from censorship, journalists and human rights activists warn it grants the state sweeping powers to deny registration to new outlets, posing a significant threat to freedom of speech in the country.

The law marks a dramatic shift for Kyrgyzstan, a nation long regarded as a relative haven for free press in Central Asia. The path to its adoption was fraught with conflict. An initial draft proposed by President Japarov’s administration in late 2022 drew sharp criticism for restricting speech and pressuring journalists. In response, a working group of journalists and lawyers spent two years developing a compromise bill. This version, which included provisions for voluntary registration and a ban on censorship, was initially approved by parliament. However, in a sudden reversal in mid-June, controversial articles were reinserted, and a far more restrictive law was rushed through two parliamentary readings on June 25, effectively nullifying two years of collaborative effort.

Under the new law, mandatory registration is now required not only for traditional media but for all internet platforms, including websites and blogs. Failure to register can lead to criminal prosecution, and unregistered outlets are barred from disseminating information. Critics argue that the legislation creates a framework for arbitrary registration denials and administrative pressure, as the authorized state body now holds the power to decide which media can operate. While the law states that a media outlet can only be suspended by a court or its founder, it simultaneously expands the grounds for issuing official warnings, including for content deemed to contain calls for a violent seizure of power, which could lead to administrative penalties.

The legislation also introduces specific deadlines for government agencies to respond to journalistic inquiries and formally defines terms like “online publication” and “editorial policy,” which proponents claim align the country with international standards. However, a more contentious clause limits foreign ownership in any media entity—including print, broadcast, and online—to 35%. This provision is widely seen as a direct response to President Japarov’s repeated criticisms of foreign-funded media, which he has accused of “spreading false information” and undermining the government at the behest of their sponsors.

The adoption of the law has amplified international concern over the deteriorating state of press freedom in Kyrgyzstan. Once a regional leader, the country has plummeted in global rankings, now standing at 122nd out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index. International watchdogs assess the environment as “partly free,” citing high levels of political pressure, pervasive self-censorship, and a tangible risk of criminal prosecution for journalism critical of the authorities. The new law is seen by many as the legislative capstone on this worrying trend.