34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates?

Source: Article 24, 25, Constitutional Law On elections of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic and deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic, 2021

Article 24. Conducting election campaigning on television and radio

1. Candidates, political parties that have nominated lists of candidates have the right to provide them with free airtime on the channels of television and radio organizations falling within the scope of Part 18 of Article 22 of this Constitutional Law and broadcasting in the territory where elections are held. The specified airtime should fall on the period when television and radio programs gather the largest audience - from 8 pm to midnight.

2. The total volume of free airtime allocated by the state television and radio organization for campaigning at the elections of the President, deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh in a single electoral district must be at least one hour on working days. The specified free airtime is distributed among the registered candidates and those who have appeared for the program, political parties that have nominated lists of candidates on an equal basis.

Article 25.
1. Periodic print media, as well as Internet publications falling under part 18 of Article 22 of this Constitutional Law and distributed in the territory in which elections are held, with the exception of publications established by state and local authorities solely for the publication of official messages and materials, normative and other acts, must allocate, on equal terms, free printed or, accordingly, electronic space for materials provided by candidates, political parties, in the amount of at least one A4 page. For specialized print or online publications (for children, technical, scientific and others), it is allowed to refuse to publish any campaign materials, provided that they do not participate in the election campaign in any form whatsoever.

2. Print or Internet publications, regardless of their form of ownership, that provided print or electronic space to candidates, political parties, are obliged to provide other candidates, political parties with printed or electronic space on the same terms (the same prices, volume and other conditions). At the same time, the cost of printed or electronic space cannot exceed the cost that was charged 6 months before the date of the election.