New Journalists' Union Too Close to Government
New Journalists' Union Too Close to Government
A new government-affiliated union of journalists will not restore the disintegrating relationship between the state and the media, NBCentralAsia media-watchers say.
Last week, culture and information minister Yermukhamet Yertysbaev suggested setting up a new union of journalists in conjunction with his ministry to act as a go between in disagreements between the government and the media. Yertysbaev believes the new union could be an effective mediator between the two, but NBCentralAsia media watchers say Kazakstan already has well established associations that look after journalists’ interests and it would be to recruit them to facilitate dialogue.
“Before creating a new journalism organisation, the government should talk to with the existing media NGOs, otherwise it is impossible to talk about creating an effective organisation to protect journalists’ rights,” said Askar Shomshekov, director of the Pavlodar Centre for Regional Journalism Support.
If the new union goes ahead, Shomshekov says its role as intermediary should be confined to making it easier for the journalist community to have a say in the lawmaking process.
However, Tamara Kaleeva, head of the Adil Soz free speech group, says Yertysbaev’s initiative is a contradiction in terms, and the only interests the union will protect will be those of the state.
“The creation of professional organisations should be done by the journalist community itself. For a ministry or any other state institution to interfere in the process is unnatural. This has nothing to do with dialogue; it is about strengthening the voice of the authorities.”
Yertysbaev has had a fraught relationship with the media in Kazakstan. In March this year, several public organisations, television and print outlets accused him of unethical conduct, preventing them from doing their job and insulting journalists.
Rozlana Taukina, president of the Journalists in Danger foundation, says the minister’s proposal is a sign that different pro-government groups are now fighting even harder among themselves for control over the media.
“The idea of creating a new union of journalists is connected with infighting clash among the financial groups,” she said.
(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)
Last week, culture and information minister Yermukhamet Yertysbaev suggested setting up a new union of journalists in conjunction with his ministry to act as a go between in disagreements between the government and the media. Yertysbaev believes the new union could be an effective mediator between the two, but NBCentralAsia media watchers say Kazakstan already has well established associations that look after journalists’ interests and it would be to recruit them to facilitate dialogue.
“Before creating a new journalism organisation, the government should talk to with the existing media NGOs, otherwise it is impossible to talk about creating an effective organisation to protect journalists’ rights,” said Askar Shomshekov, director of the Pavlodar Centre for Regional Journalism Support.
If the new union goes ahead, Shomshekov says its role as intermediary should be confined to making it easier for the journalist community to have a say in the lawmaking process.
However, Tamara Kaleeva, head of the Adil Soz free speech group, says Yertysbaev’s initiative is a contradiction in terms, and the only interests the union will protect will be those of the state.
“The creation of professional organisations should be done by the journalist community itself. For a ministry or any other state institution to interfere in the process is unnatural. This has nothing to do with dialogue; it is about strengthening the voice of the authorities.”
Yertysbaev has had a fraught relationship with the media in Kazakstan. In March this year, several public organisations, television and print outlets accused him of unethical conduct, preventing them from doing their job and insulting journalists.
Rozlana Taukina, president of the Journalists in Danger foundation, says the minister’s proposal is a sign that different pro-government groups are now fighting even harder among themselves for control over the media.
“The idea of creating a new union of journalists is connected with infighting clash among the financial groups,” she said.
(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)
