Kyrgyzstan: Media


Recommended Sources

Azattyk – Kyrgyz regional office of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and funded by the United States through the U.S. Agency for Global Media. Publishes articles on political, economic and social affairs. Coverage in Kyrgyz and Russian. 

Eurasianet - Independent news organization founded in 1999 by the Open Society Institute that provides news, information, and analysis focused on countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Eurasianet is now hosted by Columbia University’s Harriman Institute and is supported by a variety of international foundations. Coverage in English and Russian.  

Kaktus Media – Independent news agency established in 2017 by Dina Maslova. Kaktus is the direct successor of the online news agency “Zanoza”, which was closed in 2017 after a defamation suit by then Kyrgyz President Atambayev. Kaktus media covers political, economic and social news. Despite a low number of daily articles and news reports, it has many editorials and opinion pieces. Most of the content is neutral or presents critical views on government policies and actions. Despite that, it does not openly support one political opposition group. Coverage only in Russian.

Kloop – Independent news agency established in 2007 by Bektur Iskander and Rinat Tuhvatshin. A distinctive feature of Klopp is that almost all of its journalists and management are graduates of the Klopp journalism program. Klopp specializes in investigative journalism and is one of the few news agencies whose publications are available in Uzbek. In 2020 Klopp, among other organizations, was given the 2019 Tom Renner Award from Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE). Coverage in Kyrgyz, Uzbek, and Russian.

The Diplomat - International online news magazine founded in 2001 covering politics, society, and culture in Asia. The Diplomat frequently runs articles on Central Asia and is based in Washington, D.C. The Diplomat was founded by Minh Bui Jones, David Llewellyn-Smith, and Sung Lee.  Coverage in English.



Online Media


24.kg - Independent online news agency that covers day-to-day political, economic and social affairs through press releases, short news pieces, and feature reports. 24.kg also has editorials, columns and opinion pieces. Coverage in Kyrgyz, Russian, sometimes English. 

Akchaba - Online informational platform founded in 2013 that covers economic and financial news in Kyrgyzstan. Coverage in Kyrgz and Russian. 

Akipress News Agency – One of the most popular online news agencies established in 2000. Akipress is owned by “Aki Kyrgyzstan” LLC and publishes a high number of articles on day-to-day political, economic, and social affairs. Akipress also has editorials, columns and opinion pieces. Most publications are neutral or pro-government. Archives and selected articles related to economics and business are available for a fee. Akipress has active pages on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Coverage in Kyrgyz, Russian, and English.

Crossroads - Non-profit research institute co-founded by Shairbek Dzhuraev based in Bishkek that promotes a better understanding of the political, economic, and security affairs in Central Asia. Crossroads provides reports, commentaires, and a variety of other research projects. Coverage in English, Russian, German, French, and Chinese.

Elgezit - News platform that largely collects and reports on events in Kyrgyzstan, but also contains political analysis. Coverage in Kyrgyz and Russian. 

Eurasia Daily Monitor - Publication launched in 2004 by the Jamestown Foundation, a Washington D.C. based institute for research and analysis. The Eurasia Daily Monitor is an analytical publication that surveys recent developments in Eurasia, providing overview and analysis of events. Coverage in English. 

Kaktus Media – Independent news agency established in 2017 by Dina Maslova. Kaktus is the direct successor of the online news agency “Zanoza”, which was closed in 2017 after a defamation suit by then Kyrgyz President Atambayev. Kaktus media covers political, economic and social news. Despite a low number of daily articles and news reports, it has many editorials and opinion pieces. Most of the content is neutral or presents critical views on government policies and actions. Despite that, it does not openly support one political opposition group. Coverage only in Russian.

Knews - Online news platform founded in 2011 that covers politics, business, and society in Kyrgyzstan alongside world news stories. Coverage in Kyrgyz and Russian. 

openDemocracy -  United Kingdom-based political website founded in 2001 that provides reporting and analysis of events throughout the world, including occasionally Central Asia and the Caucuses. “openDemocracy” is owned by the nonprofit openDemocracy Foundation for the Advancement of Global Education. openDemocracy was founded by Anthony Barnett, David Hayes, Susan Richards, and Paul Hilder. Coverage in English.

Sputnik – Kyrgyz regional office of the Sputnik news agency, established and owned by “Russia Today”, a Russian government-owned news agency. Sputnik in Kyrgyzstan publishes news on day-to-day political, economic and social affairs. Most articles present pro-Russian views. Coverage in Kyrgyz and Russian.


Times of Central Asia - Bishkek-based newspaper founded in 1999 by Giorgio Fiacconi that covers Central Asian politics, investments, economics, commerce, culture, social issues, corruption, and terrorism.  It ceased print publication in 2013 and is now only online. Coverage in English Only.



Print Press


Newspaper Delo №  –  National weekly newspaper founded in 1991 by Viktor Zapolsky that mainly focuses on pro-Russian politics. Delo specializes in publishing articles on various high profile criminal investigations. Coverage in Russian.

Newspaper Erkin Too –  National weekly newspaper founded in 1991 and owned by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. Erkin too is popular among civil-servants due to its publication of all adopted laws and government decrees. Coverage in Kyrgyz.

Newspaper Kyrgyz Tuusu –  National weekly newspaper founded in 1924 by the Government of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyz Tuusu is another of the oldest newspapers in Kyrgyzstan and is popular among the residents of rural areas. Coverage in Kyrgyz.

Newspaper Super Info – National weekly newspaper founded in 2002 by “Computer Press” LLC. Super Info provides articles on politics and often stories about the local pop stars. Coverage in Kyrgyz.

Newspaper Vecherniy Bishkek –  National weekly newspaper founded in 1974 by the “Publishing House Evening Bishkek'' LLC. Vecherniy Bishkek is mostly distributed and popular among residents of Bishkek. One of the oldest newspapers in Kyrgyzstan. Coverage in Russian.