RFE/RL Kazakh Service Correspondent Nurgul Alina has won first place in the Shanyrak regional journalism competition held in December 2016 by the People’s Assembly of Kazakhstan, a national political body tasked with representing the interests of the country’s many ethnic groups. Alina was recognized for her video report on the Kyrgyz minority in Kazakhstan, which won the award for “Best Online Work.” The report focused on their cultural life including their music, dance, clothing, and other folk traditions, and how they keep them alive in a foreign country.
Also in December, Ongar Saimosayev, the Kazakh Service’s video journalist in the southern Kyzylorda region, received a letter of commendation from the General Prosecutor’s Office. The letter, which was signed by Prosecutor General of Kazakhstan Zhakyp Asanov, read “Thank you for your valuable input into strengthening the rule of law in our country.” The letter was written in recognition of Saimosayev’s video reports investigating corruption, lack of regional infrastructure, and the plight of the most impoverished and vulnerable people in Kazakh society.