Khabar 2162019 221552875 2008-06-25T00:49:55Z Timurite 7326591 wikilink [[Image:Khabar.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The front entrance of Khabar News Agency headquarters in Almaty, Kazakhstan.]] The '''Khabar''' Agency ([[Kazakh language|Kazakh]]: "Хабар" Агенттiгi; [[Russian language|Russian]]: Агентство «Хабар») is a major [[mass media|media]] outlet in [[Kazakhstan]]. It was established in [[1995]], known originally as the National Television News Agency. It is currently one of the largest networks in the country, and broadcasts daily in [[Russian language|Russian]] and [[Kazakh language|Kazakh]]. Additionally, Khabar runs the [[satellite]] channel [[CaspioNet]], which is potentially available across [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. It features programming in Russian, Kazakh, and English.<ref>[http://www.khabar.kz/eng/about-agency/hitfm/ Khabar Agency - About Us]</ref> Khabar annually hosts the [[Eurasian]] Media Forum, which attempts to bring together journalists and political figures to “facilitate the professional development of the Eurasian media and promote international public understanding of Eurasian issues” <ref>[http://www.eamedia.org/about Eurasian Media Forum: About Us]</ref> ==Ownership== The ownership of Khabar has at times not been completely clear. [[Dariga Nazarbayeva]], daughter of Kazakh [[president]] [[Nursultan Nazarbayev]], founded and controlled the company. She officially stepped down as company chairwoman during her bid for parliament in [[2004]]. <ref>[http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/eav051906.shtml Eurasianet - Kazakhstani Government Moves To Reassert Control On Mass Media ]</ref> However, she stilled retained close ties to the agency and continued to organize the Euraisan Media Forum. Her husband, [[Rakhat Aliyev]], confirmed that the couple still held shares in Khabar, along with several other media outlets. <ref>[http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/02/2-tca/tca-200207.asp RFE/RL - Kazakh President's son-in-law denies bank charges, admits to media holdings]</ref> He was, however, quick to deny direct ownership, and attacked those who claimed otherwise. <ref>[http://www.globaljournalist.org/archive/Magazine/Repressed-20023q.html A Press Repressed]</ref> In April 2006, Kazakhstan’s Information and Culture Minister [[Ermukhamet Ertysbayev]] announced the intention to gain "one hundred-percent state control over the Khabar [[joint-stock company]]." This came on the heels of a general government call for greater control of the media, brought about from the turmoil following the murder of political opposition leader [[Altynbek Sarsenbayev]].<ref>[http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/eav051906.shtml Eurasianet - Kazakhstani Government Moves To Reassert Control On Mass Media ]</ref> Shortly thereafter, Dariga’s [[Asar Party|Asar]] party was merged into [[Otan]]. Some observers see the near-simultaneous loss of both the political party and the Khabar network as efforts by President Nazarbayev to reel in his daughter.<ref>[http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp081406.shtml Eurasianet - Kazakhstan: Battle Of The Clans Continues]</ref><ref>[http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp052006.shtml Eurasianet - Kazakhstan: Apparent Rift Opens Within Nazarbayev Family]</ref> On May 5, 2006, [[Maulen Ashimbaev]], deputy head of the President's administration, was named the new chairman. The state now owns 50% plus one share of Khabar. <ref>[http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2006/05/090506.asp RFE/RL - Kazakh Presidential Aide Named To Head Media Company]</ref> ==Political Bias== As one of the primary media outlets in Kazakhstan, Khabar is often under scrutiny for its role in elections. The agency is often criticized for covering mostly pro-presidential parties, namely [[Otan]] (now [[Nur-Otan]]) and [[Asar Party|Asar]], Dariga’s short-lived party. <ref>[http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav072304.shtml Eurasianet - To Tout Reform, Nazarbayev Uses Opposition Minister]</ref> During the [[Kazakhstani legislative election, 2004|2004 elections]], for example, half of all election coverage on Khabar was devoted to the Asar Party. <ref>[http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav091604.shtml Eurasianet - Media Bias Mars Kazakhstan’s Election Campaign]</ref> ==Location== Khabar’s headquarters is located on Republic Square in [[Almaty]], just east of the Monument to Independence and across from the Presidential Palace. ==External links== * [http://www.khabar.kz/ Khabar.kz] - Khabar's official website, in English, Kazakh, and Russian ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Kazakhstani media]]