Azerbaijan, Baku, 21 June/ Trend corr. E.Ostapenko/
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, expressed concern today about laws and resolutions recently adopted by the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan that could potentially limit media pluralism in the country.
"I support the view of the President of Kyrgyzstan, Roza Otunbayeva, that these measures would limit media freedom," OSCE press-service quoted Mijatović as saying.
Mijatović said the legal initiatives will negatively affect media coverage of important issues by allowing the 'fergana.ru' website to be blocked, by banning live broadcasting by foreign media and by stripping journalists of accreditation just before the elections.
In its resolution of June 16, Zhogorku Kenesh (the parliament of Kyrgyzstan) calls on the Ministry of Culture and Information, Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General to take steps to block the site 'Fergana.ru' in the country's information space.
Mijatovic called to preserve the achievements made in the area of media freedom, especially ahead of the presidential election scheduled for later this year.
"All media, whether online or traditional, local or international, should be allowed to carry out their professional duty to inform citizens about their political choices," she added.
Mijatović expressed hope that the Parliament would reconsider the laws and resolutions it adopted last week.