Majilis passed bill on Internet resources regulation to Senate

Astana, May 13, 2009 (Khabar) - The prosecutor-general mustn’t be vested with a right to suspend or close the work of virtual means of mass media. The bill on issues of information and communication networks has been adopted at the second reading with this amendment and passed by the Majilis to the Senate. The main developer of the bill, the agency on information system development and communication offered to give the Internet resources the same status as the means of mass media. Virtual Mass Media must bear responsibility for distribution of illegal information on an equal basis with newspapers and television, assured the bill developers. In case of its distribution, the prosecutor general hoped to be vested with a right to suspend the work of virtual Mass Media. However, deputies disagreed with it in principle and they considered opinions of public organization when examining the bill. The given norm contradicts the principles, the country’s constitution based on, stated majilismen.

Kairat Sadvakasov, MP of RK:
- We disagree with this presentation of a problem and vesting the attorney-general with such additional powers. In the end, our colleagues from the committee have supported our suggestions and now if the bill is approved by the Senate, signed by the president and comes into legal force, only the owner or court will be able stop the Mass Media’s activity. To my mind, it is very important, proceeding from the fact we are a young state and the protection of information space and rights of Mass Media call us to this.

Bill on informational and communicational networks was presented to the Parliament this January. Elaborators say it must draw the legislation in accordance with modern level of development of Internet-technologies.