Kazakh Minister Balaeva says state does not block journalist or media accounts

AI digestMimile.ai EditorialAugust 17, 2026 at 11:17 AM

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Kazakh Minister Balaeva says state does not block journalist or media accounts

Kazakh Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balaeva said on 17 August 2026 that the ministry does not block social media accounts of journalists, media outlets, activists or bloggers. She called the reported mass blockings damaging to journalists and state bodies and linked them to efforts to discredit state institutions.

Key Facts

Journalists and bloggers in Kazakhstan may photograph and video record without the subject's consent in three situations: at public events, when covering the person's official or public activity, and when the image is needed to protect public order.
Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balaeva called on social media platforms to more actively identify and remove unlawful content while clearly separating it from lawful expression, professional journalism and public debate.
Balaeva urged journalists and bloggers to verify the accuracy of disseminated information and comply with legislation on mass media, online platforms and elections during the current election campaign and upcoming formation of the Kurultai.
She said the ministry, as the authorized body in the mass media sphere, intends to assist journalists and bloggers in exercising their lawful rights.

Account Blocking Denial

Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balaeva said on 17 August 2026 that her ministry does not block social media accounts, including pages of media outlets and journalists. She described actions perceived as unjustified restriction of professional activity of journalists and bloggers as harmful to both the journalists and bloggers and state bodies. Balaeva said the recent trend of blockings could be used to discredit state institutions and impede the ministry's work on freedom of speech.

Recording Rights

Under the Law on Mass Media, journalists may take photo, audio and video recordings and disseminate information as part of their professional activity. The law lists three situations in which journalists and bloggers may film without the subject's consent: at public, cultural, sports and peaceful assembly events; when covering the person's official or public activity; and when the image is needed to protect public order. Balaeva reminded journalists and bloggers of these rights in the context of the election campaign.

Platform and Election Calls

On 17 August 2026, Balaeva called on administrators of social networks and online platforms to more actively identify and remove unlawful content. She stressed the need to clearly distinguish illegal materials from lawful expression, professional journalistic activity and public debate. Balaeva also urged journalists and bloggers to verify the accuracy of disseminated information and comply with legislation on mass media, online platforms and elections. She linked the particular importance of these issues to the current election campaign and the upcoming formation of the Kurultai.

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Kazakh Minister Balaeva says state does not block journalist or media accounts

Politics

Kazakh Culture Minister Balayeva urges journalists to follow professional ethics

Kazakh Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva on August 30 called on journalists to adhere to professional ethics after what she described as inappropriate comments and bullying against some Kurultai deputies over housing issues. She clarified that housing for media workers is allocated only to those without property, under current rules. Balayeva also said state officials and Kurultai deputies should provide necessary explanations to media inquiries.

Entertainment

Astana court backs ministry's refusal to disclose media grant spending

A court in Astana ruled that the Ministry of Culture and Information may legally withhold the total amount of budget grants allocated to private media outlets. The decision came in response to a lawsuit by the Public Legal Media Center, which had requested the data in April 2026. The court did not require the ministry to name recipients or disclose individual grant sizes.

Politics

Kazakh Journalists Face Criminal Cases, Travel Bans Before Kurultai Vote

Independent journalists and government critics in Kazakhstan face criminal investigations, travel bans, and court-ordered journalism bans ahead of the August 23 Kurultai election. Rights groups say the pressure reflects a broader pattern of politically motivated charges and online restrictions. The vote will elect the first members of the new unicameral parliament that replaced the two-chamber legislature under constitutional changes approved in a March referendum.

Finance

Kazakhstan media lawyers warn of unprecedented free speech crisis

The Legal Media Centre says Kazakhstan is sliding into an unprecedented free speech crisis. The group cites criminal prosecution of journalists combined with bans on practicing their profession. It warns that such measures fuel self-censorship across the media.

Kazakh Minister Balaeva says state does not block journalist or media accounts

Key Facts

Account Blocking Denial

Recording Rights

Platform and Election Calls

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