Digital Age Media Transformations in Kazakhstan

Abstract

The article deals with the changes in Kazakhstan media taking place in the digital age. The media have gained new opportunities and distribution channels for their products, interactive communication with their audience and access to the global information space since the advent of the Internet, cellphones, smartphones, social networks and other mass media. What transformations have taken place in the media market? How has the coronavirus pandemic affected Kazakhstan media? What is the current situation with print and other mainstream media? We tried to answer these and other questions in our article. The empirical research was based on the results of an employee survey of 10 Kazakhstan organizations specializing in the field of media. In-depth interviews were conducted with the management and journalists of ‘‘Forbes Kazakhstan’’, which includes two editorial staff (editorial staff of “Forbes” print magazine and online edition of “forbes.kz”), “inBusiness.kz” online publication and other representatives of the media industry that the editorial staff of Kazakhstan media changed its structure in the context of transition to cyberspace; findings also identify new strategies and forms adopted by the media to remain economically viable.