Media system of Kazakhstan: methodological reflections on current trends

I. Bykov; X.  Li; X.  Xie; A. Zhakypova

doi:10.26577/HJ79120262

Authors

I. Bykov Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8462-5320
X. Li Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4473-9634
X. Xie Longyan University, Longyan, Fujian, China https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3479-2920
A. Zhakypova University of Wollongong in Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1278-1997

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26577/HJ79120262

47 0

Keywords:

media system, comparative analysis, Kazakhstan, political parallelism, authorized pluralism.

Abstract

Kazakhstan’s media system, shaped by a unique historical trajectory and a changing sociopolitical context, represents a critically important field for studying the dynamics of post-Soviet communication spaces. This article presents a methodological analysis of current trends shaping Kazakhstan's media, drawing on the media system theory of Hallin and Mancini.

The primary objective is to systematically identify and assess dominant development vectors, including digital transformation, regulatory evolution, and changing audience engagement practices. A coherent methodological approach to their study is proposed. The study utilizes secondary data methodology, integrating legislative policy analysis and a quantitative assessment of media ownership and market structures. This triangulation allows for a holistic understanding of the complex reality of a system where state influence, commercial interests, and other factors coexist.

The article’s key findings center on the limited applicability of Hallin and Mancini’s methodology to one of the key aspects of so-called “political parallelism”, given the general weakness of civil society institutions in general and political parties in particular. At the same time, the study points to the rapid growth of digital and social media platforms, which facilitate greater information diversity and public discourse, while traditional broadcast media remain under significant institutional restrictions.

A key finding is the emergence of an authorized pluralistic model in Kazakhstan, characterized by calibrated liberalization that allows for economic and technological modernization while maintaining comprehensive political control. The study reveals a persistent gap between formal legal frameworks and their practical implementation, particularly about journalistic autonomy and access to information. The scientific and practical significance of the work lies in its contribution to comparative media studies, offering a nuanced, methodologically sound approach that challenges simplistic dichotomies of “free” and “controlled” systems.

Author Biographies

I. Bykov, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Ilya Bykov (corresponding author) – Doctor of Political Science, Professor of the Higher School of Journalism and Mass Communication at St Petersburg State University (St Petersburg, Russia, email: i.bykov@spbu.ru);

X. Li, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China

Xuanru Li – PhD-Student of the Department of Media and Communication at the Xi’an Jiaotong–Liverpool University (Suzhou, China, email: sarahxyru@gmail.com);