Recommendations for journalists present at peaceful gatherings

On August 28, 2020, the order of the Minister of information and public development of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 279 dated August 14, 2020 "On approval of the Rules for the activities of a journalist (media representative) present at peaceful meetings, forms of distinctive signs of a journalist" was put into effect.

The rules define the procedure for interaction of the media with local Executive bodies, organizers and participants, in particular, the following main provisions are provided:

1) to ensure the professional activity of a journalist (interviewing, briefing), the local Executive body takes measures to provide journalists with an Operational press center for the media, as well as the participation of its representative during a peaceful Assembly;

2) establish uniform requirements for the Operational press center for the media;

3) the forms of distinctive signs are established.

Operational center and representative of the local Executive body

An operational press center is organized in two cases:

1) if the estimated declared number of participants in a peaceful Assembly exceeds 200 people;

2) at the request of the mass media sent to the local Executive body.

It is also important to note that the Operational press center must meet the following conditions:

1) tape restriction;

2) providing sufficient visibility to take photos, videos, and interviews;

3) provision of power supply;

4) ensuring the safety of journalists through the immediate response of employees of the internal Affairs bodies in the event of a threat to life and health.

In addition, in order to accompany journalists to the Operational press center, assist journalists in obtaining interviews, comments from the organizers and participants of the peaceful Assembly, and explain measures aimed at ensuring the safety of journalists, the local Executive body ensures the participation of its representative during the peaceful Assembly.

Forms of distinctive signs

The need to wear distinctive signs of a journalist is provided, first of all, in order to ensure security, as well as to identify journalists during a peaceful Assembly.

To cover the peaceful Assembly process, it is enough for a journalist to have at least one of the proposed distinctive signs (vest, armband, sticker). At the same time, other ways of identifying a journalist (the presence of badges, etc.) are not distinctive signs. Please note that the media or journalists are provided with their own distinctive signs.

It is important to note that a journalist with clearly visible distinctive signs has the right to move freely both on the territory of the Operational press center and outside it.