Security of independent journalists in the era of digitalization: the situation in Kazakhstan and global processes

Abstract

Digital technologies open up great opportunities for freedom of journalists. This allows them to conduct journalistic research, collaborate with colleagues abroad, check facts with the audience, and access databases and sources. But along with these great opportunities, the threat to the lives of independent journalists is growing every year. Now independent journalism around the world is in a difficult situation, because they spread information to society that can criticize government or other influential elites, openly tell the truth, thereby endangering their popularity and power. An official or government whose image is damaged allows censorship. Such a picture is quite common in those states that have distanced themselves from democracy and where a totalitarian system reigns.
The article analyzes the state of independent journalism and freedom of expression in Kazakhstan over the years of independence. Specific facts are collected on journalists who have been subjected to such challenges as digital surveillance, violence and political persecution, oppressed by influential people, killed, and ways to ensure the safety of independent media representatives are considered.