KZBlog

Following up on the report that the leading party in Kazakhstan, Nur Otan might get a media outlet, it turns out that they have. Rauan Media Group includes Television channel Astana, RVS radio, NS radio NS, and the newspapers Turkestan, Izvestiya-Kazakhstan, Nur-Astana, Kiter and Aiken, all of them previously government-owned media outlets. It is now called Nur Media and 100% owned and financed by Nur Otan, the only party represented in Parliament, and the party led by the President of Kazakhstan.

A few highlights from an interview with Armanzhan Baitasov, General Director of Nur-Media [RU]:

And how will Nur Otan influence on the policies of Nur Media, in terms of material? Or will you be given a carte-blance: “What you want to do, go ahead and do”?

The exact policy, “What you want to do, go ahead and do” will not be our policy, we can’t allow that. However, the Party is not yet directly interfering strictly in editorial policy by the Party. We ourselves are developing our own editorial policies now.

Of course, because the party Nur Otan is the founder, we will illuminate that which concerns the interests of the party. However our primary task is that all media of mass information that come under Nur Media will be in demand, popular and interesting. And I will accomplish this.
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What is the difference between your media and other media?

We will be working in a competitive environment and we will make a product so that it is competitive not only with Kazakhstani companies, but also with Russian and world companies. Our content will match the high level of Russian television…

…And if, for example, an opposition party criticizes Nur Otan, will you allow that opinion to be broadcast in your media outlets?

Yes, probably, we will because the audience should hear all existing points of view. And honestly, I didn’t have the idea planted in my head that there should be limited access to the media from a particular person.

Why then, does Nur Otan nead a media holding company?

Understand that every party should have its own publication. Nur Otan wants to have its own media holding with its own newspapers, television stations and radio stations. There are projects that the Party is carrying out. There are tasks that illuminate these projects.

In general, even without a media holding, Nur Otan had no problems getting access to air time or newspapers? Isn’t that so?

Yes, the party has used the popularity of many state television channels. But maybe now politics is changing, olr something like that. In any case, Nur Otan will now have a media holding and its own media. It is a normal development for any party.
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Were you given these media outlets or did you buy them?

Regarding Rauan Media Group, its assets we are taking under management in agreement with KazMunaiGas. KMG long ago made the decision to shed assets unrelated to its primary purpose and Rauan Media Group, is such an ancillary asset for KMG. In the company they were considering who to work with, what to do with these assets: Sell them or give them to someone for management and develop the assets together?

And why didn’t they come to Republic [the newspaper that originally published this interview]? We would also like to create a media holding?

There’s no point for you in this. It is very expensive. Even we have no money to buy these assets and for that reason we are only managing them. But even to manage such property is very difficult, an expensive pleasure. KMG sighed with relief when they transferred these assets because now Rauan Media Group is the task of Nur Media and Nur Otan. Now you will see how many more problems we will have.

[Translation mine]