Hot News 2005

October 17

Property redistribution processes affected KOORT staff

Omurbek Satayev, KOORT (Kyrgyz Public Education TV and Radio) general producer, was dismissed on 15^th October, 2005. He was replaced by Sanzhar Kaparov, a KOORT staffer. Azima Rasulova was appointed as KOORT general director.

Journalists believe this appointment was in violation with the law. They say 52% of shares belong to Aidyn-Kol company, 30% to entrepreneur Bolot Begaliyev, and the remaining shares belong to Uchkun company. However, Aidyn Kol shareholders were not invited to take part in shareholders’ meeting. The TV Company’s staff called the appointment the “civilized looting.” Forty seven staffers decided to resign right after the appointment of the new head. The new management of the company failed to explain why the former general producer had been fired.  

The Company’s staff also saw unknown men, sportsmen, police guards, and criminals in the building. They could not explain the reason for being present there. Journalists said why the joint stock company should be guarded by police. “It feels like people, that are interested in controlling us, control police forces,” they said. Satayev believes: “The decision was political. Our channel criticized the authorities, the government and parliament. They wanted to stifle us.” TV Company's staff issued a statement, demanding that chairman of the board of directors speak to them. They also demanded that Satayev be reinstated. Furthermore, they demanded that the authorities guarantee freedom of expression at the channel, and sign new 1 year labor agreements with the staff, stipulating the contracts cannot be terminated for political reasons and salaries shall be kept unchanged. If the management fails to do that, the staff plan to leave the channel.   

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