Censorship and Silence: Central Asia’s Approach to the Ukraine Conflict
State media in Central Asia largely remain silent on the ongoing war in Ukraine, echoing Soviet information control tactics. This silence persists despite the war’s regional repercussions, including troop returns to Central Asian countries. Kazakhstan provides occasional acknowledgment of the conflict, while Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan maintain a near-total media blackout on the subject. In contrast, independent media offer diverse coverage, highlighting the stark difference between state-sponsored narratives and independent journalism.
Central Asian state media exhibit a notable silence regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine, closely mirroring the Soviet era’s practices of controlling information. Particularly in Turkmenistan, state-run channels have refrained from reporting on the conflict meaningfully since its inception. Despite the regional implications of the war, including the return of deceased Central Asian soldiers, government-controlled media across the region offer minimal coverage, reflecting a cautious approach due to potential repercussions from Russia. In contrast, independent media outlets have extensively covered the war, although this has often led to tensions with Russian authorities. Kazakhstan stands out as a country that has issued bolder statements on the war, with its media occasionally acknowledging the conflict. However, state reports have largely diverted attention to unrelated global incidents, neglecting significant events in Ukraine. For instance, despite hosting discussions regarding humanitarian aids to Ukraine, such as the dispatch of yurts by Kazakh businessmen, coverage swiftly decreased following Russian criticism. Neighboring Uzbekistan and Tajikistan mirror the silence of Turkmen state media, with little to no mention of Ukraine, while Kyrgyzstan’s state media offers sporadic coverage, primarily relying on external news sources. The privately-owned media landscape varies, with some outlets receiving backlash for perceived pro-Ukrainian coverage, leading to investigations and censorship by Russian media regulators. Turkmenistan, characterized by its extreme authoritarianism, disallows any negative mentions of foreign conflicts, rendering independent reporting as the sole provider of information regarding Ukraine.
The silence of Central Asian state media on the Ukraine war resonates with historical precedents from the Soviet Union, where information was heavily censored, particularly unfavorable news. This article discusses how each country within Central Asia has approached the conflict differently, with Turkmenistan leading in censorship. As tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated, the regional media’s response varied, revealing a trend where state media often choose to ignore significant developments in the ongoing war. In contrast, independent media outlets have somewhat filled the gap by covering the events more extensively, albeit at the risk of attracting geopolitical tension with Russia due to its sensitive nature regarding the narrative surrounding the war.
Central Asian state media’s reluctance to report on the war in Ukraine illustrates a broader trend of censorship and political sensitivity within the region. While independent media strive to provide thorough coverage, state-run outlets operate under strict limitations that often reflect Moscow’s displeasure. The discrepancy between official narratives and independent reporting sheds light on the complicated relationship these nations have with Russia and highlights the impact of authoritarian governance on freedom of expression in the media.
Original Source: www.rferl.org
