In an interview with the Turkistan newspaper, Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev discussed the role of the press in society, its educational mission, and its importance in preserving national values.

The President first of all focused on the place of the Turkistan newspaper in the country's information space, which has been published regularly for 30 years, and noted the publication as one of the most influential newspapers in Kazakhstan. He also noted that the name of the newspaper contains a deep historical and spiritual meaning, and highly appreciated the fact that the editorial team raises topical issues not only within the country, but also for the entire Turkic people. The Head of State noted this as a good tradition.

During the interview, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that he reads with interest publications about compatriots working abroad and achieving success in various fields. According to him, supporting citizens who contribute to strengthening cooperation between Kazakhstan and the countries in which they live is an important matter. On this occasion, the President also noted that he had specially awarded three such citizens.

The Head of State also touched upon the trends in the current information space. In his opinion, newspapers and magazines are currently at the beginning of a renaissance. He noted that the excessive influence of social networks is negatively affecting people's thinking and cognitive abilities. The President noted that the presence of citizens in society, despite their age, who are shallow-minded and dependent on superficial information, is a clear manifestation of this.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that he has been reading periodicals since his youth and has not changed this habit. Noting that today the press has adapted to modern requirements and has found its place in the information sphere, the Head of State emphasized that newspaper reporters prioritize in-depth analysis and comprehensive analysis. He also noted that professional and dedicated journalists are developing high-quality materials and making a significant contribution to preserving traditional values.

The President said that he often gets accurate information about the real lives of working people and their contribution to society from newspapers. He added that social networks such as TikTok, Instagram, or Telegram provide superficial information in this regard and do not fully reflect the real lives of working people.

At the end of the interview, the Head of State noted that society should not be limited to sensational news and short videos, but also understand the value of deep, thought-provoking information. He especially noted that it is very important for the future of the country for young people to turn to education and science and to put a high value on the culture of reading. The President added that he has no doubt that countries with a developed culture of reading will always be at the forefront of global development.