Bulletin of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. JOURNALISM Series

The role of journalists covering conflicts in Kazakhstan

Abstract

Research on the conflict in Kazakhstan spans many fields, including political science,
sociology, and history. Many scholars and organizations contribute to the understanding of the causes,
nature, and resolutions of conflicts in the country. This article examines how journalists in Kazakhstan
disseminate information about the conflict within the framework of state restrictions and editorial
requirements, and finds that media representatives face critical challenges such as ethical issues,
self-censorship, government pressure, and difficulties in achieving objectivity and accuracy. A survey
of journalistic community members conducted between August 1 and August 30, 2024 revealed that
Kazakhstani journalists try to adhere to the basic principles of journalism, such as editorial standards
and neutrality, honesty, and responsibility, despite resource constraints or various pressures during
conflict events. However, it became clear that self-restraint (self-censorship) of journalists forces them
to circumvent censorship and find a balance between editorial demands and personal moral principles.
The study revealed that restraint and personal initiative are important tendencies for journalists writing
about conflict. This study shows that media independence, journalistic experience and self-activity are
important in covering conflicts. Framing theory was used to analyze and discuss the results.