Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BISHKEK1737
2006-12-11 04:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:  

KYRGYZ MEDIA: WHO'S PULLING THE STRINGS AND WHY

Tags:  PGOV PINR PREL KPAO KG 
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P 110435Z DEC 06
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INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY 1415
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RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BISHKEK 001737 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, R, PA AND INR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL KPAO KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ MEDIA: WHO'S PULLING THE STRINGS AND WHY

BISHKEK 00001737 001.2 OF 003


Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet distribution.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 BISHKEK 001737

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, R, PA AND INR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL KPAO KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ MEDIA: WHO'S PULLING THE STRINGS AND WHY

BISHKEK 00001737 001.2 OF 003


Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet distribution.


1. (U) This is the first in a series of cables on the state
of the media in Kyrgyzstan, with additional cables covering
Internet news agencies, broadcast media, National TV and
overall analysis to follow.


2. (SBU) BACKGROUND: The Kyrgyz media and political scene
have become closely intertwined. A few politicians have
become owners of news agencies simply to propagate their
message. At the same time, editors and media moguls have
gained positions within the government, seats in the
parliament, and have developed their own political parties.
The degree of influence over the local media by Kyrgyzstan's
elite has grown exponentially in recent years, swaying
popular opinion about various politicians or their parties.
This is evidenced by the fact that many government officials,
legislators and businessmen openly or secretly back a
particular brand of media.


3. (SBU) Under former President Askar Akayev, some
independent media outlets were closed down starting in the
mid-1990s, while others seemingly flourished until the final
two years of his administration, when authorities utilized
the courts, tax inspectors, the National Security Service and
other state agencies and institutions to fine, close or
harass certain news agencies critical of the government.
Since the "Tulip Revolution" in March 2005 that ousted
Akayev, several news agencies have emerged to compete in the
growing market, while others, clearly critical of President
Bakiyev, have fallen victim to similar forms of persecution
from the authorities, both publicly and covertly.


4. (SBU) Nearly all media outlets are politically motivated
or influenced to some degree. However, none seem to be
staunch allies to the U.S. or consistently favor USG
policies. Russian-language news agencies utilize or
republish international news articles and information
directly from the Russian press. Contrarily, the
Kyrgyz-language media shows less interest in international
affairs and, therefore, uses the Russian press far less
frequently. Ultimately, the media has become a weapon of

choice in the battle between opposition leaders and the
Bakiyev regime as both sides attempt to mold popular opinion.
The state of government-owned television was a key point of
disagreement between Bakiyev and the opposition during the
week-long street demonstrations in early November. It will
continue to be an issue; the state-run TV station is the only
one in Kyrgyzstan with national coverage. As the government
consolidates its powers under the new constitution, further
attempts to control the media will be vigorously pursued.
END BACKGROUND.

PRINT MEDIA SUMMARY
--------------


5. (SBU) SUMMARY: With several hundred newspapers
registered around the country, many of which are weekly along
with two dailies, the Kyrgyz public is offered a wide variety
of perspectives, opinions and reporting styles unheard of in
many neighboring countries. Although Kyrgyz is the official
language, Russian-language publishers far outnumber those
printing in Kyrgyz, and advertising revenues follow the
circulation; many of the small newspapers have a circulation
of less than 500. Some papers profit from their ad sales,
while others carry no advertising but rely solely on the
financial backing of politicians, businessmen and
international donors to stay in business. END SUMMARY.

RUSSIAN LANGUAGE DOMINATES THE PRINT MEDIA
--------------

VECHERNIY BISHKEK


BISHKEK 00001737 002.2 OF 003



6. (SBU) By far the largest of papers with a readership of
over 100,000 per week, Vecherniy Bishkek is the only
Russian-language, daily newspaper in Kyrgyzstan. Privatized
by its employees after the fall of the Soviet Union, it has
become the most profitable newspaper in the country due to
its robust advertising department. In 2001, then-President
Akayev's son-in-law, Adil Toigonbaev, seized control of the
paper through an illegal purchase of the company's stock. It
was not until August 2005 that Alexander Kim, who was fired
from his post as editor-in-chief after the takeover, regained
ownership of Vecherniy Bishkek after a successful court
fight. Once revered for its reputable articles, the quality
of reporting of late has deteriorated and the political slant
clearly expresses support for Bakiyev, to whom Kim has been
close from the days when they were both on the outs with
Akayev.

MSN


7. (SBU) Alexander Kim is also the editor/owner of a second
paper, MSN (Moya Stolitsa-Novosti),through which he
aggressively supports Bakiyev. In its prime, MSN distributed
approximately 50,000 copies per week. Kim has shifted his
focus away from MSN and towards Vecherniy Bishkek as it
continues rapidly to expand. With control over two of the
largest newspapers, Kim is one of the most influential media
voices in the country. MSN is strictly focused on political
and social issues but contains no advertisements. The
proceeds from the numerous ads in Vecherniy Bishkek support
the publication and distribution of MSN. MSN, one of the few
color newspapers, is printed by the Freedom House printing
press. However, Uchkun, a state-owned printing agency that
recently purchased color presses, may be splitting the
monopoly of color printing previously held by Freedom House.

OBSCHESTVENNIY REITING


8. (SBU) Obschestvenniy Reiting, a weekly Russian-language
newspaper, targets a small, highly educated readership with a
circulation of less than 3,000 copies. Founded by three
owners of Tolubai Bank, Bolot Maripov, Aibek Chekoshev and
Jengishbek Baigutiev, the paper gained credibility for its
compelling interviews with leading politicians and economists
together with its analysis from local researchers on politics
and the economy. In post-revolution 2005, Maripov became a
member of parliament while Chekoshev and Baigutiev were
appointed advisors to Bakiyev, resulting in a steady decline
in articles critical of the government (and a corresponding
loss of readers). Of late, the editors have again shifted
their policy back to a neutral stance on the local political
scene, which may attract their core readership back to
previous levels.

SLOVO KYRGYZSTANA


9. (SBU) Founded in 1925, the government-owned Slovo
Kyrgyzstana is by far the oldest of newspapers, starting out
as the publication of the Communist Party of the Kyrgyz
Soviet Socialist Republic. This Russian-language paper, with
a circulation of up to 15,000, is a mouthpiece for the Kyrgyz
Government to criticize the opposition. From 2003 until
March 2005, Slovo Kyrgyzstana featured numerous anti-American
articles, often attacking the U.S. Ambassador personally.
After the revolution, the newspaper's editor-in-chief was
promoted to advisor to the prime minister and its editorial
policy quickly changed direction, criticizing the newly
formed opposition.

DELO NOMER


10. (SBU) Most popular of weekly newspapers among the Slavic
community, Delo Nomer is a well-respected, marginally
independent paper with more than 30,000 copies distributed
throughout the country. The Russian-language newspaper is

BISHKEK 00001737 003.4 OF 003


famous for its investigative reporting but also known for its
pro-Russian and anti-American articles. Delo Nomer has
operated under various degrees of independence but, most
recently, has returned to its roots of analytical and
balanced reporting. Viktor Zapolskiy, formerly with the
Freedom House printing press, is the owner/editor of Delo
Nomer.

KOMSOMOLSKAYA PRAVDA


11. (SBU) Komsomolskaya Pravda, Kyrgyzstan's supplement to
the Russian version, is also distributed nationwide with a
readership of up to 15,000 people. Askar Aitmatov, former
Foreign Minister under the Akayev regime, took over ownership
in 2005 after he was dismissed from office immediately
following the March revolution. The subject matter and
editorial pieces are somewhat balanced but tend to lean
towards support for the opposition. The newspaper is popular
among the general public due to the Russian version's tabloid
format.

KYRGYZ LANGUAGE A DISTANT SECOND IN POPULARITY AMONG PAPERS
-------------- --------------

AGYM


12. (SBU) Agym is the most influential of Kyrgyz-language
newspapers with a circulation of 15,000 to 20,000 copies
distributed twice a week. The paper is owned by
journalist-turned-politician Melis Eshimkanov, an opposition
leader who had warmed up to President Akayev until he
realized that speculation of him being named the State
Secretary was unfounded. Eshimkanov was one of several

SIPDIS
opposition activists leading the November 2 demonstrations
that called for Bakiyev's resignation, and reports from Agym
reflect the owner's disdain for the president. Due to
numerous shifts in allegiances, some view the
politician/editor as unpredictable.

ALAS


13. (SBU) The most recent addition to the print media scene
and quickly gaining popularity against Agym is Alas, which
has built a circulation of over 10,000 copies since its
inception in November 2005. The paper was founded by
independent journalists who left other news agencies in
pursuit of a writing environment with fewer restrictions and
controls. Tugolbai Kazakov, the editor-in-chief, previously
served as the president of National TV and Deputy Minister of
Culture. It is rumored that Bolotbek Sherniyazov, the
pro-opposition parliamentarian, is behind Alas, which would
explain the paper's support for the opposition movement "For
Reforms".

JANGY ORDO


14. (SBU) President Bakiyev welcomes the extremely one-sided
reporting of Jangy Ordo, a Kyrgyz-language publication with a
twice-weekly circulation of about 5,000 that praises the
president and criticizes the opposition. Popular in the
rural areas, especially in Bakiyev's native southern
Kyrgyzstan, the paper is affiliated with the Jangy Kyrgyzstan
Party and its leader, Usen Sydykov. Sydykov, the former
Chief of Staff within the President's Administration and
current advisor to the president, along with several
pro-government parliamentarians, ministers and other
influential public figures all openly support the newspaper's
slanted reporting.
YOVANOVITCH