The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for the annulment of a recent court decision in Kyrgyzstan where investigative media outlets Temirov Live and Kloop were labeled as extremist entities. Last Monday, the ruling by the Oktyabrsky District Court marked the first instance of news platforms being classified as extremist groups in the country, imposing a ban on online publication and restricting other outlets from distributing their content.
The significance of this ruling extends beyond just a domestic issue. Rinat Tuhvatshin, the founder of Kloop, articulated concerns over the ambiguity of the law’s application, suggesting actions as trivial as sharing or liking the outlets’ content could be construed as support for extremist entities. This ruling could curtail the journalistic freedom that Kyrgyzstan had once been lauded for, moving further from its earlier reputation as a stronghold for press freedom.
Both Temirov Live and Kloop have a history of reporting on high-level corruption among Kyrgyz state officials, including President Japarov himself. Bolot Temirov of Temirov Live, a recipient of the 2025 International Press Freedom Award, has faced substantial adversity, from police harassment to imprisonment and expulsion. The climate for journalists in Kyrgyzstan has deteriorated significantly, especially following the government’s intensified crackdown on press freedoms since 2022. The introduction of a fake news law, along with raids and arrests of Kloop staff, has underscored these challenges.
Amnesty International has condemned the move as an attack on independent journalism, reinforcing fears of politically motivated censorship. In 2025, the Kyrgyz government shut down broadcasters like Aprel TV and imprisoned journalists, moves that were ostensibly aimed at silencing dissent and criticism of state policies. Meanwhile, President Japarov’s ratification of a fake news law underscores the shrinking space for journalistic independence, banning foreign ownership of media outlets and potentially barring dissenting views from being published.
This decision has drawn international criticism, as it appears to contravene Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Kyrgyzstan is a signatory to. This article serves to protect the freedom of expression, encompassing the rights of journalists to scrutinize and disclose corruption within their nations. According to Human Rights Watch, such actions represent a significant backtracking from international legal commitments and an erosion of civil liberties in Kyrgyzstan.
The CPJ has urged the Kyrgyz authorities to reverse this decision and align with international legal standards, promoting a free and fair environment for media operations. The continued scrutiny from rights groups and international bodies reflects a broader concern about the country’s trajectory under President Japarov, as media freedom faces unprecedented challenges. Further details are available here and through additional coverage by Human Rights Watch.