Kazakhstan to ‘Work Closely’ with Bloggers

Marat Tazhin, a senior government official in Kazakhstan ordered ^[1] [ru] yesterday the creation of a database of the most popular bloggers and moderators of major social media networks in the country. He also ordered state-run media and press services of key ministries to “work closely” with the bloggers and use their expertise. Blogger Bravo Oscar suggests ^[2] [ru] that the initiative amounts to a “recognition of Internet media, blogs, and social media as major players in the country's information space”. It also gives bloggers a chance to prove that they can work better than state-run media which they often criticize. Baglan Aidashov has collected ^[3] [ru] the most interesting tweets, Facebook posts, and memes inspired by Tashin's initiative.