Senate approved amendments to legislation on Mass Media

Kazakh Minister of Culture and Information Mukhtar Kul-Mukhammed noted that the amendments are aimed at further liberalization of the law on Mass Media and remove of unnecessary administrative barriers regulating the Media. In particular, Article 10 of the Law ?On mass media? excludes registration of electronic media, which, under the current legislation have to get through the process of registration and licensing. It helps avoid duplication of permitting procedures. There is also an amendment equalizing the position of the plaintiff and defendant - a journalist taking legal recourse, while, under the current legislation, a journalist is anticipatorily guilty and must prove the truthfulness of his/her information. In addition, journalists do not have to obtain permission to use the camera or recorder in the interview with the citizens.