Kazakh Online Outlet Orda Shuts Down

Kazakh online publication Orda is closing after six years of investment failed to produce a return, its founder and first head, Maksat Ganiyev, said.

Ganiyev said the outlet could earn money through transparent advertising contracts without “gray cash desks” or blocks on negative coverage, but that it barely covered its own costs. He said the financial results made further investment unjustifiable.

He described Orda as a business project from the outset and said he did not intend to use it for political games, spreading fake news or blackmail. Ganiyev thanked editor-in-chief Anna Platonova and the newsroom staff.

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Orda.kz, operating honestly, without various gray cash desks and blocks on negative coverage, can make money through transparent advertising contracts, but it barely pays for itself. What return could there be on years of investment?

He also promised that the editorial team would fulfill its existing obligations and settle all employee payments in full. “I will return to my work. And I will absolutely never invest in media again,” he said.

The closure follows the earlier conviction of Orda’s former editor-in-chief Gulnar, also known as Gulshat, Bazhkenova. The court found her guilty of misappropriating or embezzling entrusted property, illegal entrepreneurship and spreading knowingly false information.

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I will return to my work. And I will absolutely never invest in media again.