Journalism, press freedom and Covid-19

Abstract

2019 has shocked the world with the disease COVID-19. The fight against the
coronavirus, which was granted the status of «pandemic» by the decision of the World Health
Organization continues. Kazakhstan has taken timely measures to protect its citizens in
connection with the spread of the pandemic. The legitimacy, nature, and proportionality of these
measures are reflected in this article.
Kazakhstan declared a state of emergency on March 16, 2020, severely restricting the free
movement of citizens and other basic freedoms as a response to the pandemic. Restrictions on
quarantine made it difficult to disseminate information openly and unhindered. In particular, the
work of journalists was obstructed. The author considers the problem of editorial independence as
an important part of the professionalism of journalists in terms of foreign concepts. The author
analyzes the contradictions between the normative approach to understanding the reality of the
media market during the pandemic of freedom of speech.