Kazakh Senate approves law on mass media

Kazakhstan is set to create a public-professional council for media industry development. It will be responsible for developing a code of ethics for journalists. Additionally, it is planned to gradually increase the weekly volume of TV and radio programs in the state language, aiming to reach 55 percent by 2025 and 60 percent by 2027. Conversely, there are plans to reduce the retransmission of foreign TV and radio programs on domestic radio and television from 20 percent to 10 percent. These and other amendments were included in the law on mass media which was approved by the Senate, an Upper House of the Kazakh Parliament, today. The document has been sent for signature to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The relevant ministry notes that the law also includes innovations that will allow reviewing the requirements for mandatory TV channels, whose number in the country is currently 17.

«Now, nine out of 17 state TV channels will operate by default. They will not participate in the competition and, therefore, will not be required to submit any documents. As for the remaining eight TV channels, their inclusion in this package will primarily depend on their content, encompassing substantive, cultural, and educational parts. All content must comply with traditions of our citizens and the norms of our legislation. Thus, we added these criteria to determine the list of mandatory TV channels,» said Kanat Iskakov, Kazakh Vice Minister of Culture and Information.

Kazakhstan to intensify fight against illegal fishing

The Kazakh Senate also considered other draft laws. Particularly, it ratified amendments to the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization. They pertain to fishing subsidies, specifically banning support for unregulated fishing. The document includes 12 articles outlining key concepts in the fishing industry, types of subsidies for disaster assistance, as well as procedures for identifying and notifying about the temporary detention of vessels suspected of illegal fishing. Overall, the ratification of the Protocol will contribute to the conservation and rational utilization of biological resources.