What follows is a roundup of blog posts and online discussions that took place in Kazakh blogosphere in the last few days.

Almaty, 24 June, burning of “censorship” at the journalists’ meeting

Proposed amendments to Mass Media law, which would prohibit editors of periodicals who have been closed by a court order to work in the same capacity for any other publication and oblige each media outlet to have a deposit of tens of thousands of dollars prior to beginning operations, is in the center of attention in Kazakh blogosphere. KUB, daily updated blog with the possibility of anonymous posting, announces that journalists are organizing a demonstration to protest against the new bill on June 24. It also informs that Dariga Nazarbayeva, the President’s eldest daughter and MP, opposes the amendments, calling them censorship. It is also known that Nazarbayeva called for the pro-presidential forces to unite, which, along with the opposition to the new law, is thought to be her attempt to state her strentgh in politics of Kazakhstan. It is not surprising to see John Ordway, US Ambassador, saying the bill, if accepted, would not bring Kazakhstan closer to OSCE chairmanship.

Livejournal’s Kazakhstan community discusses the launching of the first “Kazsat” satellite from Baikonur. Along with minor criticism of this expensive enterprise, people cheer and admit that it was an image-boosting event that will allow Kazakhstan to enter the club of space countries. Some, like Serik Burkitbaev, director of Kazakh Institute of Oil and Gas, are very sceptical about the benefits of the satelite, apart from political. The first part of the court indictment of the accused in Sarsenbayev’s case is posted at KUB.

“Shame on Kazakhstan” is the title of the post that says that the British comedian Sasha Baron Kohen playing Borat, Kazakh journalist, who outraged the Kazakh Government after he hosted MTV Europe Awards in 2005 , is going to lead to a Government crisis in Kazakhstan. “Centr Tyazhesti” forum raises Borat topic too. Apparently, the new film will be out in November, and there is already a commercial to it. It is noticeable that people started to take it easier, and I suspect that the Ministry’s harsh answer to Borat played its role here. Some people on the forum offer inviting the comedian to Kazakhstan and showing him the country so that likes it so much that he drops his Borat character.

Interesting and somewhat repeating topic is how to make life in Astana , a new Kazakh capital, more comfortable for people who had to move there from Almaty. It is expensive, cold and not fun, according to Al”lka. Other users are more satisfied with the conditions, they say that because so many people are from other cities in Kazakhstan, in some years the “Astana mentality” will be formed.

Only 5.2% of readers of Kazakh.ru blog that allows people to start their own voting on any topic, assessed the level of education in Kazakhstan as very good, and 54% are positive about international marriages.