The history of Kazakh journalism has deep roots from the beginning of the 20th century. Even if at that time there was no independent Republic as Kazakhstan traditional media in the Kazakh language was relevant. Because of unfair actions and discrimination against Kazakh people various periods like “Kazakh”, “Ulfat”, “Aikap” began their work.

Actually, Kazakh intelligentsia understood that newspapers will be a powerful tool to make Kazakhstan an independent country and to give freedom to their nation. Since periodicals create a connection between people providing by communication. Tatar newspapers, such as “Terjiman” and “Uakyt” helped Kazakh intellectuals to recognize it. Tatar journalists had written about human rights, especially of Muslim people, and then in “Kazakh” newspaper a problem of woman and the lack of her rights discussed widely.

On 21 July of 1917, the first All-Kazakh Congress was held. There Alikhan Bukeikhanov, Akhmet Baitursynov, Mirzhakyp Dulatov, and other intelligentsia decided to legalize the Kazakh party, which was called “Alash”. One of the great changes that the “Alash” party did was to open the publication of the “Kazakh” newspaper in 1913. During 5 years of work of this newspaper, journalists of “Kazakh” gave an opportunity to the public to change their environment. That is when Russian Empire or the Soviet Union called to develop agriculture in Kazakh steppes, Alikhan Bukeikhanov said to move from animal husbandry to agriculture gradually. He predicted that a sharp change of lifestyle could cause bad consequences as famine. Moreover, journalists of the “Kazakh” newspaper were against the migration policy. Russian people used Kazakh lands, where Kazakhs looked after their livestock. A majority of the Kazakh population died and moved to other countries, as a result. In addition, “Kazakh” newspaper did not follow the russification process. Kazakh journalists thought that the Soviet Union and Russian Empire should respect the national values of other people. 

Nowadays, a lot of newspapers want to continue the way of “Kazakh” newspapers and be useful for the nation as well. The main differences from the 20th century are related to the development of the internet and social media. Now everyone can check any information and know the news of a country that situated in another part of the planet.

To conclude, the “Kazakh” newspaper within 5 years built, laid the foundation of Kazakh journalism. Even today any newspaper could not repeat the success and necessity of the “Kazakh” newspaper. 

Written by: @qymbatmurat