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Attacks on Media and Journalists Highlight Growing Global Threat to Freedom of Expression
April 14, 2026
April 14, 2026 – Kazakhstan –
International press freedom and human rights organisations have called on Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to drop criminal charges against several journalists and halt what they describe as an escalating pattern of pressure on independent media in the country.
In a joint letter issued by six organisations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the groups raised alarm over what they described as a “recent spate of arrests” and the growing use of legal mechanisms to restrict journalistic work. They urged authorities to ensure the immediate release of journalists detained or placed under house arrest in connection with their reporting.
The appeal specifically highlights cases involving prominent independent journalists who have been subjected to pretrial detention or restrictive measures since late 2025. According to the organisations, at least four journalists are currently under house arrest while awaiting trial on charges linked to the dissemination of allegedly false information under Kazakhstan’s criminal code.
Advocacy groups argue that the legal provisions used in these cases are overly broad and open to abuse, warning that they are increasingly being applied against critical reporting and public interest journalism. They are also calling for the decriminalisation or significant reform of laws governing “false information,” which they say have contributed to a climate of uncertainty for media workers.
Beyond individual prosecutions, the letter also raises concerns about wider restrictions affecting the media environment, including denial of accreditation to journalists, blocked news outlets, and coordinated online harassment campaigns targeting independent reporting platforms. These trends, the organisations warn, are creating a growing risk of self-censorship among journalists.
The groups further argue that the pressure on the media undermines Kazakhstan’s stated commitments to political reform and rule of law. They urged President Tokayev to publicly affirm protections for press freedom and ensure that no journalist is prosecuted for legitimate reporting activities.
Authorities in Kazakhstan have not issued a detailed public response to the letter. However, officials have previously defended existing legislation as necessary to combat misinformation and maintain public order.
The appeal adds to increasing international scrutiny of Kazakhstan’s media landscape, with rights organisations warning that the current trajectory could significantly weaken independent journalism in the country if corrective action is not taken.
Reference –
CPJ, partners urge Kazakhstan’s president to act over wave of journalist arrests
