Democracy News

RFE President Discusses Media Freedom with Kazakh Prime Minister
December 13, 2010
By: Randi Zung | Printer Friendly

On December 7, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported that RFE President Jeffrey Gedmin met with Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov to discuss the topic of media freedom.  During the meeting, Gedmin and Massimov discussed the possible addition of FM broadcasts in the country, as well as possible joint ventures with public television.  RFE/RL broadcasts in Kazakhstan are currently available on shortwave radio, satellite and online.

Commenting on the meeting, Gedmin stated, “My discussions with the Prime Minister and other Kazakh government officials were frank and constructive.  We all hope for more openness and greater media freedom in Kazakhstan.”  During his three-day trip to Kazakhstan, Gedmin also met with members of the Kazakh government, local journalists, bloggers, and civil society leaders.

Additionally, Gedmin also met with officials from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, representatives from media watchdog groups, and journalists to discuss the possibility of establishing a media training center for independent journalists in Central Asia.  Commenting on RFE/RL’s role in the region, Gedmin stated that it would “continue to do its part in defending media freedom and raising the standards for journalism throughout the region.”

In 2010, Kazakhstan was 169 out of 196 countries in Freedom House’s annual Freedom of the Press report.

Sources:
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty - RFE President Gedmin Meets Kazakh PM, Discusses Media Freedom