This kind of pressure on journalists was not widespread in Kyrgyzstan — once considered the most democratic country in Central Asia — until President Sadyr Japarov took control in 2020.
In the past year, Kyrgyzstan has dropped 50 places on Reporters Without Borders’ index of worldwide press freedom, plunging the country to the level of South Sudan.
This backslide to authoritarianism is especially painful for OCCRP. Our Kyrgyz colleagues, from multiple outlets, have been behind some of our most groundbreaking investigations. Now, we fear, this vibrant culture of investigative journalism may be snuffed out.
We hope to protect Kyrgyzstan’s remaining independent journalists with your support.
Thank you for your time,
— The OCCRP Team
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