Kyrgyzstan has recently taken a significant and contentious step in reshaping its media landscape by passing a new media law that grants the government sweeping control over media outlets in the country. Signed into law by President Sadyr Japarov, this legislation has triggered alarm among journalists, human rights advocates, and international watchdogs, who warn that it could severely curtail press freedom and jeopardize the independence of journalism in Kyrgyzstan.

The new media law, which had been under debate for over two years, represents a dramatic shift in how media organizations-including websites and blogs-will operate in Kyrgyzstan. While the president’s administration has framed the legislation as a measure designed to foster the development of independent and competitive media, critics argue that the law’s provisions effectively consolidate government authority over the press and could be used to suppress dissent.

At the heart of the controversy is the law’s requirement that all media outlets must register with the state. This registration mandate covers traditional media as well as digital platforms, meaning that nearly every source of news and opinion in the country falls under government scrutiny. The Cabinet of Ministers has been vested with the power to define the registration process, set rules for re-registration, and determine conditions for terminating media organizations’ licenses. This places the regulation of media squarely in the hands of the executive branch, bypassing parliamentary or judicial checks and balances.

Additionally, the Ministry of Justice will maintain an official registry cataloging both active and defunct media outlets. Beyond registration, the law also imposes a cap on foreign ownership of media, restricting it to a maximum of 35 percent. This applies equally to private investors and non-profit organizations, ostensibly to prevent excessive foreign influence but critics see it as a further constraint on media pluralism and independence.

Legal experts in Kyrgyzstan and abroad have raised grave concerns about the........

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