Kyrgyzstan - August 2023

Kyrgyz officials are taking steps to limit freedom of expression and access to information on the internet, as the Culture Ministry moved to ban TikTok and prosecutors sought the closure of a leading non-profit investigative media outlet, Kloop, in late August. Unlike other governments that have investigated TikTok on national security grounds, Kyrgyz officials argue it threatens youth morality by immersing “the user into a virtual world of short clips, and after watching them, teenagers try to mimic certain videos, some of which are life-threatening.” Kloop is being prosecuted on similar grounds, as prosecutors say its investigations into high-ranking officials cause “fear, anxiety, despair and panic” that may push readers to engage in abnormal sexual behaviour, succumb to addiction, or commit suicide.

Sources: Eurasianet (1), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, Eurasianet (2)