IWPR Central Asia

“It could be described as an attempt against the sovereignty of Kazakstan’s media.”
Harassment for posting allegedly obscene content seen as a means to further shrink freedom of speech.
Critics deem mysterious summit, presented as a gesture of unity, as simply a populist move.
Protests against the land swaps the agreement entails have led to a heavy-handed response.
A draconian draft media law and rising numbers of criminal investigations against journalists signal an authoritarian turn.
Trial of 22 defendants enters final stages amid concerns of bias and lack of transparency.
International discussion hears that response must be as complex and varied as disinformation itself.
Analysts see this is as opportunity for the president to assert himself outside the shadow of the country’s first leader.
Vaguely-worded legislation introduces potential restrictions on wide range of outlets
Foreign workers are being coerced or deceived into signing up for military service as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues.