OSCE Centre promotes public discussion on media reform in Kazakhstan with second roundtable

ASTANA, 20 June 2006 - A roundtable, jointly organized here by the OSCE Centre in Almaty, has been looking at the legal aspects of mass media activity and the issues of libel and defamation in Kazakhstan.

"It is essential to find an appropriate balance between freedom of expression and injury to reputation. Without that balance, excessive or improper use of laws relating to insult and libel becomes a violation of the right to the freedom of expression and distribution of information," said Ambassador Ivar Vikki, Head of the Centre.

The event, held in co-operation with the "Transparency Kazakhstan" Public Foundation, brought together deputies of parliament, government officials, representatives of the non-governmental sector, media lawyers, journalists and other international and local experts on legislative processes related to libel and freedom of information.

"Sometimes it is a thin line between defamatory statements and information of significance to the public. In the end, journalists have to make responsible judgments. Ethical codes that the whole journalistic community agrees to follow and high quality education of media professionals are important for this," said Salla Nazarenko, an international expert in media issues.

The roundtable was a follow-up to a similar event, organized by the Centre in May, on promoting media reform in Kazakhstan, and constitutes an important element in supporting the development of Kazakhstani legislation in line with international standards.