BISHKEK -- Local officials of the National Security Committee in the Talas region have begun requiring journalists to provide their names, addresses, telephone numbers, and political affiliations.
A Kyrgyz nongovernmental organization, Journalist, told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service on January 22 that the heads of local media in the northwestern region complained of being summoned to the committee's offices and interrogated on January 19.
Neks radio director Aybek Turdaliev confirmed that he had such a meeting and was required to provide such a list to them.
According to Journalist, such methods are being employed in an effort to frighten journalists.
The Talas region has been the scene of several opposition meetings in recent weeks where opposition leaders have been harassed and had charges brought against them.