US mission to OSCE comments on the law of RK on mass media

[15:13] 04/02/2004, Kazakhstan Today
http://engNews.gazeta.kz/art.asp?aid=305729

United States of America regret that the last draft law "On mass media" has been passed in the parliament of Kazakhstan. Douglas Davidson, deputy chief of the US mission to the OSCE, has stated this speaking at a session of the OSCE permanent council, KZ-today reports.

D. Davidson has reminded that "according to OSCE estimations, the law in its current form breaches international standards of protecting the freedom of speech and it will damage the development of independent mass media in Kazakhstan". The deputy chief of US mission appealed to responsible persons with a request "to take into consideration recommendations made by the representative for mass media freedom issues and to revise the law on mass media to make it comply with the international standards and OSCE principles more".

According to D. Davidson, "democracy and civil society cannot flourish without independent mass media presenting unbiased information to the population without fearing intimidation or revenge on the part of the government".

He has observed that Kazakhstan aspiring for the position of OSCE chairman in 2009 must fulfil obligations accepted by the republic upon entrance into this organisation. Provision of free mass media activities is one of such obligations.