Central Asian Media Quiet on Russia’s Ukraine War
State-controlled media in Central Asia, particularly in Turkmenistan, have been largely silent on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite the impact of the conflict on the region, government-run outlets have downplayed or completely ignored the situation, following a pattern reminiscent of Soviet-era censorship.
In Kazakhstan, the only country in Central Asia with a land border with Russia, state media has largely refrained from covering the war, instead focusing on distant issues like forest fires in Bolivia and power outages in Puerto Rico. Even when some state broadcasters briefly covered humanitarian efforts by Kazakh businessmen in Ukraine, they faced criticism from Russia and subsequently reduced coverage of the conflict.
Neighboring Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have completely ignored the war, with minimal coverage found on Kyrgyz state broadcaster KTRK. Independent media outlets in the region have provided more varied coverage, from geopolitical analysis to frontline reporting funded by donors.
However, Russian influence has been felt in the region, with outlets like 24.kg in Kyrgyzstan facing criminal investigations and website blockages for their coverage of the conflict. The sensitivity of Russia towards the war and its preferred wording on the matter have led to censorship of websites in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.
In super-authoritarian Turkmenistan, state media remain silent on international conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. The few reports on the conflict in Turkmenistan come from sources outside the country, highlighting the total dependence of non-state media on the government.
Overall, the media landscape in Central Asia reflects a mix of government censorship, Russian influence, and independent reporting on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Despite challenges and pressure, independent outlets continue to shed light on a conflict that remains largely ignored by state-controlled media in the region.
