Accessibility links

Breaking News

Kyrgyz Journalists Protest Colleague's Dismissal


Orunbekov's supporters demonstrate in downtown Bishkek on 30 January (RFE/RL) 30 January 2006 (RFE/RL) -- More than 50 Kyrgyz journalists rallied in front of the main government building in Bishkek today in support of the dismissed editor-in-chief of a government-funded national newspaper, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.

Bakyt Orunbekov was sacked from his post at the Kyrgyz-language "Kyrgyz tuusu" (Kyrgyzstan's Flag) on 27 January.

During the rally, the editor-in-chief of the independent "Tribuna" newspaper, Ryzbek Omurzakov, told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service that Orunbekov was dismissed because he was seeking to make the newspaper more independent.

"In reality, reforms at 'Kyrgyz tuusu' started when Bakyt Orunbekov came [to serve as editor-in-chief]," Omurzakov said. "The newspaper then started covering polar, diametrically opposed views from both sides and raising very hard problems."

Orunbekov had been appointed as editor-in-chief following the ousting of former President Askar Akaev's long-standing administration in March.

He has been replaced by Jediger Saalaev, the head of the public-relations department of the government's press service.

"A newspaper that belongs to the government should not criticize the government," Saalaev told RFE/RL. "It should instead carry out government policy."

He added that articles published in the newspaper had been one-sided and critical of the government in a way that was not constructive.

Critics of Omurzakov's dismissal counter that the newspaper is a public entity and therefore should be allowed to reflect greater diversity in its articles and editorials.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG