Astana, 30 October 2026. The jury of the “Otandastar Media Award” media contest, organised by the Otandastar Qory NJSC, held its meeting. At the meeting, the jury evaluated the work of Kazakh-language media outlets and journalists abroad and selected the winners.

The contest marks the 185th anniversary of Ibrai Altynsarin, the nation’s teacher and a pioneering educator. It received about 20 applications, which were accepted online from 13 to 29 October. Participants were ethnic Kazakh journalists who are not citizens of Kazakhstan and are officially employed by media outlets abroad, together with Kazakh-language publications registered outside Kazakhstan.

The jury was chaired by Amangeldi Kurmet, Editor-in-Chief of the national socio-political newspaper Aiqyn and recipient of the Order of Kurmet. Its members were:
– Orynbek Pazylov, Executive Secretary of the national newspaper Egemen Qazaqstan;
– Aliya Tileuzhankyzy, correspondent for the international newspaper Turkistan and Editor-in-Chief of the news portal turkystan.kz;
– Kaliakbar Usemkhanuly, correspondent for the national socio-political newspaper Astana Aqshamy;
– Elmira Baikulova, Head of the Media Projects Department at the Media Development Fund.

The jury assessed entries on the participants’ experience, creative skill, consistency of work, and audience impact.

The meeting determined the winners in three categories: Best Media Outlet, Best Journalist, and Best Young Journalist.

Each winner will receive a diploma and an iPad. All participants will receive letters of appreciation.

The contest aims to recognise the work of Kazakh-language media and journalists abroad, strengthen the information space in the native language, and deepen ties between Kazakhstan and its diaspora.