In Kyrgyzstan, TV Channels Banned To Show More Than 40% Of Content In Russian Language
- 16.01.2026, 14:47
Bishkek is gradually distancing itself from the "Russian world".
The authorities of Kyrgyzstan demanded from TV channels to bring the share of broadcasting in the national language to 60% in accordance with the requirements of the legislation. This was announced by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Information and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan Marat Tagaev during a meeting with representatives of TV companies on Friday. According to him, some private channels for formal compliance with the requirements repeatedly show programs in Kyrgyz from ten years ago and do not create domestic content.
"We do not hinder the development of private TV channels and their own strategies. However, the requirements of the law, especially the norms concerning the Kyrgyz language, must be strictly observed. I am familiar with the situation in the media market, but we are obliged to protect the rights of viewers," Tagaev said. He noted that more than 400 films, 40 cartoons and 10 TV series from the Kyrgyzfilm and Kyrgyzserial funds have been provided to TV companies free of charge.
By the end of February, they must sign contracts with these institutions to provide themselves with Kyrgyz-language content. Otherwise, according to the deputy minister, by the end of the year the authorities will "take measures against such private TV channels."
Amendments to the law on the use of the state language in television broadcasting were adopted last August. Before that, the channels had to fill 50% of their broadcasting schedules with Kyrgyz-language content.
There are currently 42 TV channels operating in Kyrgyzstan, two of which (NTRC and ELTR) are officially funded by the state. The treasury also pays for the work of the interstate television and radio company Mir. According to the budget law, in 2026 state spending on the country's TV and radio broadcasting companies will increase to 1.67 billion soms ($19.1 million), up 164.2 million soms ($1.9 million) year-on-year.
Radio Azattyk wrote that it is Russian TV channels - Pervyi, Rossiya 24, Kultura and Zvezda, and dozens of others considered to be carrying pro-Kremlin propaganda - that are more widely represented in Kyrgyzstan than other foreign media.