LAW OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

of August 6, 2025 No. 188

About mass media

Accepted by Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic on June 25, 2025

This Law is aimed at providing realization established and guaranteed by the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic the rights of everyone to freedom of expression of the opinion, freedom of expression and seals, obtaining and distribution of information and governs the public relations connected with these rights.

Chapter 1. General provisions

Article 1. The basic concepts used in this Law

In this Law the following basic concepts are used:

1) mass information - the printing, video, audiovisual and other messages and materials intended for the unrestricted group of people;

2) mass media - the periodic printing edition, TV channel, radio channel, audio-, the video program, the film chronicle program, online media and other form of periodic distribution of mass information having the permanent name;

3) the periodic printing edition - the newspaper, the magazine, the bulletin or other edition having the permanent name, the current issue and which is published at least once a year;

4) the audio-, video, film chronicle program - form of periodic distribution of information, and also the set of periodic video, audiovisual messages and materials (transfers) having the permanent name and which is published (in air) at least once a year;

5) products of mass media - the circulation or part of circulation of separate number of the periodic printing edition, separate release of TV channel, radio channel, radio program, TV program, the film chronicle program, circulation or part of circulation audio-or videos of the program, separate release or updating of online media, separate release of other mass media;

6) distribution of products of mass media - sale, subscription, delivery, distribution of the periodic printing edition, audio-or videos of the program, broadcasting of TV channel, radio channel (television broadcasting, broadcasting), broadcasting of TV program, radio program as a part of TV channel, radio channel respectively, demonstration of the film chronicle program, different ways of distribution;

7) the editorial office of mass media - physical person (physical persons) and/or the legal entity (legal entities) performing production and release of mass media;

8) the editor - person performing general coordination of activities of edition, observance of the fundamental standards and rules established in editions, editing, literary editing of messages and materials within the ex-officio full powers;

9) the journalist - the creative specialist collecting the analysis, editing, preparation and distribution of information for mass media;

10) the publisher - the physical person or legal entity performing material logistics of production and production of mass media;

11) the distributor - person performing distribution of products of mass media based on the agreement with edition, the publisher or on other legal causes;

12) authorized state body in the field of information - the state body performing state regulation of activities of mass media;

13) editorial policy - internal standards and instructions of activities of editorial office of mass media;

14) online media - form of distribution of information in the form of the electronic edition intended for distribution of mass information in electronic and digital form through the public information and telecommunication Internet and having the permanent name;

15) the register of mass media - the database containing data about the mass media registered (re-registered) and stopped activities;

16) public interest - need of uncertain group of people for receipt of information on functioning of the state, activities of the state and municipal officials and public figures, policy, health care, education and safety of the population, law enforcement and administration of law, human rights protection, consumer and social interests, the environment, economic problems, implementation of the power, questions of art and culture, religion, and also other questions infringing on interests or implicating for broad audience persons.

Article 2. Freedom of expression of opinion, freedom of expression and seals, obtaining and distribution of information

1. In the Kyrgyz Republic everyone has opinion expression right to liberty, freedom of expression and seals, obtaining and distribution of information which is implemented by way:

1) free expression of opinion in any form which is not prohibited by the Constitution and the laws of the Kyrgyz Republic;

2) free search, the choice, obtaining and distribution of information by any methods which are not prohibited by the laws of the Kyrgyz Republic;

3) open entry to information, except for information containing the state secrets and other secret protected by the law;

4) free creation and distribution of products of mass media;

5) establishments of legislative restrictions for intervention in activities of mass media;

6) protection of sources of information;

7) censorship prohibitions;

8) providing equal conditions for mass media and non-admission of their monopolization;

9) assistance to development of self-regulation in the media sector.

2. In the Kyrgyz Republic the right of everyone to freedom of expression of opinion, freedom of expression and seals, obtaining and distribution of information is implemented in oral, written, printing and other forms which are not prohibited by the laws of the Kyrgyz Republic.

3. In the Kyrgyz Republic restriction of search, obtaining, production and distribution of mass information, organization of printing and other mass media, ownerships, uses and orders by them, and also production, acquisition, storage and operation of the technical means and the equipment, raw materials and materials intended for production and distribution of products of the mass media, except as specified, which are directly provided by the laws of the Kyrgyz Republic is not allowed.

4. State bodies, local government bodies, officials, public associations, the companies, the organizations and organizations irrespective of pattern of ownership shall provide to mass media and journalists information access, to the materials which are of public interest or infringing on legitimate interests, human rights and freedoms, except as specified, provided by the laws of the Kyrgyz Republic.

5. Restriction of freedom of expression of opinion, freedom of expression and seal, obtaining and distribution of information is allowed in the conditions of emergency or warlike situation according to the procedure and the limits set by legislations of the Kyrgyz Republic on warlike situation and emergency state.

Article 3. Legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic on mass media

1. The legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic on mass media consists of the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, international treaties which became effective in the procedure established by the legislation which participant is the Kyrgyz Republic, this Law, the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic "About protection of professional activity of the journalist" and other regulatory legal acts published according to them.

Disclaimer! This text was translated by AI translator and is not a valid juridical document. No warranty. No claim. More info