On 20 January 2026, the conference “Religion in the Media Without Stereotypes” was held in Astana. The event brought together experts, journalists, and representatives of religious associations with the aim of developing ethical and legal standards for covering religious topics in the media space.
The conference was attended by Anuar Khatiyev, Chairman of the Committee for Religious Affairs, who emphasized that Kazakhstan has for many years been fostering a sustainable culture of interfaith and interreligious dialogue. He noted that amid the rapid development of digital platforms, responsibility for accurate and balanced coverage of religious issues is increasing, while the pursuit of reach and sensationalism may negatively affect social stability. In this regard, he highlighted the role of professional media as partners of the state in implementing religious policy and shaping a culture of respect for religious diversity, expressing gratitude to journalists for their responsible work.
In her address, Gulsana Kozhabay, Chair of the Board of the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue, noted that simplified and clichéd representations of religion distort perceptions of religious communities and reinforce public bias. Media outlets often focus on conflict and violence, underestimating the humanistic and peacebuilding potential of religions. At the same time, she stressed that the media can become an effective platform for dialogue and interaction, and pointed to the need to develop educational programs for journalists, adhere to ethical standards, and more actively cover the social and charitable activities of religious organizations.
This view was supported by Bishop Gennady, Chief of Administration of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, who noted that a large volume of information does not always make society better informed. He called for responsibility for every word and a careful approach to publishing materials.
Samuel Mills, Head of the Policy and Communications Section at the British Embassy, added that in today’s world, surrounded by social and digital media, journalists must thoroughly study and understand the topics they cover. According to him, open dialogue between the media and religious communities helps prevent stereotypes and distortions, while a free and independent press remains a key guarantor of the protection of believers’ rights.
Yuriy Fenopetov, Adviser on Freedom of Religion or Belief at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), emphasized that freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and access to information are key elements of comprehensive security. He noted that professional and independent media play an important role in strengthening intercultural and interfaith harmony, preventing conflicts, and fostering a democratic society. In multiethnic Kazakhstan, accurate and balanced coverage of religious issues directly affects the level of trust between different groups, perceptions of religious organizations, and the protection of every individual’s dignity.
Delia Nita, an ODIHR OSCE expert on freedom of religion or belief, noted that the state has an obligation to protect religious freedoms and prevent discrimination, including against minorities and various denominations. She emphasized the key role of the media in shaping tolerance and responsibility for providing accurate information to the public, as well as the impact of stereotypes and prejudice on public perception. Nita also cited examples of international practice and discussed contemporary challenges, including restrictions on religious literature and the use of public space for spiritual education.
Gulmira Birzhanova, Head of the Legal Service at Media Qoldau, noted that clichéd and simplified coverage of religious topics fosters biased perceptions, supporting the conclusions of Gulsana Kozhabay regarding the need for a professional, balanced, and responsible media approach.
The conference was jointly organized by the Association of Religious Organizations of Kazakhstan (AROK), the Media Qoldau Legal Media Center, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (SAMK), and the Government of the United Kingdom.
The program included four strategic sessions devoted to the legal aspects and professional risks of covering religious topics, ethical and genre guidelines, issues of dialogue and trust between the media, religious communities, and society, as well as the development of practical approaches to reporting on religious activities. The sessions were moderated by Bizhigit Koishiev, Adviser to the Grand Mufti of SAMK, and Alexander Klyushev, Chairman of AROK.
