New Media, Blogs, and Journalism in Kazakhstan

This study aims to examine the place of new media technologies and blogging activities in journalism practice in Kazakhstan. New media tools have had a place in our lives for more than twenty years, contrary to what the adjective new implies. In this relatively long period, new media tools continued to develop by going through various stages. In this context, classical websites have developed to allow blogging activities all over the world since the late 90s. This study aims to provide a general framework for the emergence and development of blogging activities in Kazakhstan. Then, the close relationship between the blogosphere and Kazakh journalists’ professional life will be evaluated. A general evaluation of Kazakh blogosphere reveals that blogs are social spaces that allow user participation in many areas, from hobbies to professional life in Kazakhstan. Kazakh journalists also integrate blogs and microblogs into their professional lives in parallel to global trends. They regularly read blogs, and almost half of them take part in sociopolitical discussions on several blogs. Blogs created new channels of communication, new journalism styles, and new areas of expression for Kazakh journalists. On the other hand, regulations on mass media and the internet in Kazakhstan raise some concerns about the freedom of expression. However, there are also promising developments to broaden the freedom of expression for Kazakh bloggers.