Ahead of the presidential elections to be held on 30 October 2011, Central Elections Committee (CEC) came out with a controversial decision, barring web-based news media from taking part in the agitation campaign. Eleven news sites were denied accreditation to inform voters on the pre-election developments.

Such step of the CEC stirred up active discussions in blogs, web-based media, political observers and NGOs, revealing challenges to the development of internet in Kyrgyzstan. According to CEC spokeswoman Tolgonai Samatalieva, [ru]

The Kyrgyz Law on mass media does not regard web-based news agencies as media outlets; that is why they cannot generate revenue from promotion of the candidates.

NGO leaders responded immediately. “Progress in Kyrgyzstan” foundation protested [ru]:

Such decision restricts the voter rights to receive information about elections and constraints presidential candidates campaigning opportunities. Presidential election is[...]

[Published in NonProfitBlogs - Read the original article]