Draft Law on Internet Censorship: Has it got better?

Originally posted at NewEurasia.net

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Translation of Slavasay’s post

The lower chamber’s working group for the draft law on regulation and censorship of the Internet excluded the article that entitled general prosecutor to suspend the activity of any media outlet and website (including access to foreign websites from Kazakhstan). On the one hand, this can be regarded as a first small victory in the series of battles that we must win in the struggle for free Internet.

On the other hand, personally I am more concerned, rather than inspired, by this victory. In my opinion, MPs and developers of the draft law excluded this norm in order to say later that they have made a concession to the society’s demands and suggestions. And the second most controversial part of the draft law – concerning equation of all blogs, forums, chatrooms etc. with mass media – will be adopted.

I also think that after such decision of the working group, the chances of this draft law to be adopted and signed into force by the president have increased dramatically. Before that, the combination of dubious norms in the draft law was pointing at the perspective that it could be vetoed. Well, we’ll see. The second reading in Majilis will take place, most likely, May 13.