Kyrgyzstan limits foreign share in new media outlets to 35%

BISHKEK. June 25 (Interfax) - The Kyrgyz parliament passed a new media bill in the second and third readings on Wednesday.

A compromise edition of the bill drafted together with journalists was submitted to the parliament, Kyrgyz Deputy Culture and Information Minister Marat Tagayev said during the bill's discussion. For instance, the bill has a provision limiting the foreign share in new media outlets to 35%.

"There are international media outlets that are fully funded from abroad. Their financing will continue as is. At the same time, the foreign share in new media outlets must not exceed 35%. A founder needs to be a citizen of Kyrgyzstan. These are global practices. The bill should have no effect on international media outlets that have already been registered, as it is not retroactive," Tagayev said.

A working group was elaborating a coordinated compromise edition of the bill for 18 months, parliament member Janar Akayev said. The latest amendments change the bill concept, thus causing concern of the media community, he said. For instance, journalists are opposed to the mandatory registration of online media outlets and point to the excessive powers of government agencies in the regulation of editor's policy.

Parliament member Eldar Abakirov proposed that the bill be reconsidered in the second reading, but deputy speaker Nurbek Sydygaliyev turned down the proposal.