Status: Not Free
Legal Environment: 24
Political Influences: 22
Economic Pressures: 22
Total Score: 68
Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 69
Religious Groups: n/a
Ethnic Groups: Kyrgyz (52 percent), Russian (18 percent), Uzbek (13 percent), Ukrainian (3 percent), other (14 percent)
Capital: Bishkek
All media must register with the ministry of justice. In June, the registration of 16 already-approved new media outlets was halted, and they were told that they had to re-register. Other forms of harassment of journalists were routine. A presidential decree made it easier to imprison journalists who criticize the government. Both state and private media are subject to government pressure, which inspires self-censorship. Journalists who criticize the government may be prosecuted under the criminal code's restriction on libel. The independent newspaper Res Publica was shut down by a court for several weeks until it paid two fines for losing a libel suit stemming from an article accusing the head of state television and radio of corruption.
Disclaimer: © Freedom House, Inc. · All Rights Reserved
This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.