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The situation with press freedom in Kyrgyzstan took a turn for the worse over the past several weeks as the authorities raided the offices of several news organisations and arrested journalists.
11 journalists collaborating with the Temirov Live investigative project and other outlets were detained under charges of calling for mass unrest. The project’s founder Bolot Temirov and media experts connected the arrests with journalistic investigations into the Kyrgyz government. In the meanwhile, the office of news outlet 24.kg was targeted in a police raid.
Press freedom in Kyrgyzstan started worsening a few years ago. As RFE/RL notes, “[f]or so long Central Asia’s standout country for independent journalism, intrepid reporting, and media innovation, Kyrgyzstan fell fully 50 places in global media monitor Reporters Without Borders’ most recent global ranking”. Other independent media organisations are also facing legal and financial problems.
The situation could further deteriorate as a new media law is being considered by the parliament. “The draft law would significantly expand government control over the media, and grant the authorities wide powers to deny media outlets registration, obstruct their work, and close them down”, Human Rights Watch said in a statement.
The US news industry saw a new round of layoffs and restructuring over the past week as both legacy outlets and digital media startups are struggling financially.
Notably The Los Angeles Times, one of the biggest newspapers in the US and the biggest outlet in California, laid off 115 journalists, a sizable chunk of its workforce, in an attempt to stem financial losses. Just a few weeks before its top editor Kevin Merida stepped down, reportedly because of clashes with the outlet’s owner Patrick Soon-Shiong.
In the meantime Time magazine laid off about 30 people, both journalists and non-newsroom staff. Just a few days before Sports Illustrated, an iconic sports magazine, announced mass layoffs with the future of the publication uncertain. And, online music outlet Pitchfork was merged with GQ by its parent company Condé Nast.
Quick links — Two more news stories worth your attention:
Source of the cover photo: https://unsplash.com/
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