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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