OSCE Criticizes Kazakh Press Law

Kazakh newspapers (file photo) (RFE/RL)

March 6, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Miklos Haraszti has called on Kazakhstan's authorities to abandon plans to require licenses for all printing presses.

Haraszti said on March 5 that "license-free printing presses are the prerequisite for a free media landscape" and requiring licenses is "contrary to international standards."

Kazakhstan is trying to get the OSCE rotating Presidency in 2009.