Information policy – is a system of measures and strategies aimed at managing information flows, protecting information security, regulating the media sphere, and ensuring access to information. It covers both the public and private sectors and is aimed at the formation and development of the information society.

Developing and ensuring the sustainable functioning and security of the country's unified information space is one of the basic priorities of state policy.

Within the framework of this direction, a set of tasks is being solved related to the formation of an open information space, popular and strong media, ensuring freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the right of everyone to freely receive and disseminate information in any way that is not prohibited by law.

At the same time, the new reality in the information sphere and emerging threats to information security require rethinking approaches in the implementation of state information policy, changing the general paradigm of relations between state institutions and other subjects of public relations in the information sphere.

Today, the world is entering a new stage of its development. The process of globalization continues, which is being intensified by the increasingly dynamic development of the information sphere. The development of technologies and the massive penetration of new digital and information and communication tools have radically transformed the modern media space.

Geopolitical turbulence and growing mutual distrust in the international political arena are forcing us to take a fresh look at the issues of information interaction. The issues of spreading reliable information, countering false and manipulative information, and generally increasing public confidence in the mass media are becoming more and more relevant^[148].

The core principles of information policy.

Information policy is a set of principles, strategies and measures aimed at regulating the processes of production, dissemination, protection and use of information in society. It is formed by the state, public institutions and the private sector in order to ensure information security, protect national interests and develop the information society.

Information policy aims to regulate and guide the production, dissemination, storage, and use of information within a society. It provides:

- access of citizens and authorities to reliable information;

- protection of national interests in the information sphere;

- regulation of media and digital platforms;

- development of information and communication technologies (ICTs);

- ensuring cybersecurity.

Information policy can be understood through several key aspects:

- manipulation of information flows. The information policy defines the rules for collecting, storing, processing, and transmitting information. This is necessary to ensure the reliability of information and combat disinformation, to monitor the observance of citizens ' rights to access information, to organize effective information interaction between the state, business and society;

- in response to growing concerns about of information security. States and organizations develop measures to protect information from leaks, cyber-attacks, manipulation, and other threats. Important areas are: protection of personal data of citizens, counteraction to cyber threats and hacker attacks, and informational counteraction to foreign influence and propaganda;

- shaping public opinion and media policy. Information policy is aimed at creating a favorable information climate, shaping the values and views of society through the media, Internet resources, social networks and state information campaigns. It covers the regulation of mass media activities, control over the dissemination of fake news and propaganda, programs on media education and digital literacy of the population;

- development of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Information policy promotes the development of digital infrastructure, telecommunications networks and technologies. This includes the adoption of digital public services (e-government, online document management), as well as support for innovation in the field of ICT, expanding access to the Internet and digital resources;

- protection of rights and freedoms in the information sphere. Information policy is aimed at ensuring a balance between freedom of speech and the need to regulate the information space. The main objectives are to guarantee freedom of expression and media independence, regulate copyright and intellectual property, issues, and ensure transparency in the activities of State bodies in the information sphere.

- integration into the international information space. Modern information policy goes beyond national borders, as information is distributed globally. States participate in international agreements and initiatives to protect personal data at the global level, combat cyber-crime, and regulate cross-border information flows.

Thus, the consistency of information policy consists in a comprehensive regulation of the information sphere in order to ensure the security, availability, reliability and legality of information dissemination. It affects the interests of the state, business and society, defining the strategy of interaction in the context of digital transformation.

Types and forms of information policy.

An information policy can be classified according to various criteria, including the level of implementation, content, and goals. It is also implemented through various forms that define the methods and mechanisms of its implementation.

By implementation level.

Information policy can be implemented at various levels:

- state(national) – implemented by the authorities in order to regulate the information space, protect national interests, develop digital infrastructure, and ensure cybersecurity. Examples: media laws, personal data protection, Internet regulation;

- international-coordination between states on issues of information security, digital sovereignty, and regulation of cross-border data flows. Examples: cybersecurity agreements, data protection standards (GDPR, Budapest Convention);

- regional – conducted at the level of regional subjects. It includes the development of digital services, media policy, support for regional media and educational projects in the field of digital literacy.

- corporate – information security and data management strategies within companies and organizations. It includes protection of trade secrets, privacy policy, and control over information leaks.

By content.

The information policy may vary depending on the area of activity:

- information security policy-it is aimed at protecting information from leaks, cyber-attacks, misinformation, and unauthorized access. It includes cybersecurity measures, data encryption, and control over the dissemination of information.

- information openness policy-provides citizens with free access to information, especially to government data (open government concept). Examples: open data portals, e-government.

- personal data protection policy-it is aimed at protecting confidential information, preventing illegal collection and use of personal data. Regulated by such laws as GDPR in Europe, the Federal Law «On Personal Data» in Russia;

- media policy-includes regulating the activities of mass media, social networks, and content distribution platforms. It may address issues of licensing, censorship, and support for independent journalism.

By goals.

Depending on the goals, the information policy can be:

- open – it is aimed at maximum accessibility of information, transparency of the activities of state bodies, freedom of speech and the media;

- closed – it is aimed at restricting access to information for the purposes of national security, monitoring public opinion, and preventing threats (for example, state censorship in authoritarian regimes).

Forms of information policy implementation.

The forms of information policy determine how it is implemented. They can be divided into the following groups:

Legislative regulation.

Adoption of laws and regulations regulating the information sphere. Development of standards and norms for personal data protection, regulation of mass media, and Internet space. For example: The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan «On Personal data and their protection»^[149].

In today's digital world, fake news, or fakes, is becoming increasingly common. Kazakhstan is no exception. The fight against fakes has become an integral part of the state's attempts to protect its citizens from arbitrary and uncontrolled information.

Fake news is a manipulation of information that is deliberately created to spread false information, conceal or distort facts. With the technological development and progress of social networks, fakes have become a dangerous weapon that can influence public opinion, elections, the political situation and national security.

In Kazakhstan, the state is actively working to protect its citizens from information manipulation. In 2019, the country adopted the law «On Information Protection», which provides for liability for the dissemination of fake news. The law provides for fines for persons who disseminate false and incorrect information, as well as for foreign citizens who use information for political purposes.

Society also plays an important role in combating false information. Various non-governmental organizations and activists conduct educational events aimed at raising public awareness about the problems of false information. They actively work with young people to develop critical thinking and information analysis skills.

Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev approved the Information Doctrine of the Republic of Kazakhstan on 20.03.2023. Within the framework of this direction, a set of tasks is being solved related to the formation of an open information space, popular and strong media, ensuring freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the right of everyone to freely receive and disseminate information in any way that is not prohibited by law. The information doctrine represents a system of views on the development of the national information sphere, principles and mechanisms for increasing its openness and competitiveness. The doctrine defines ideological and value attitudes that meet the interests of the people and contribute to the further development of the state and society. Being a fundamental document for the formation of state policy in the information and communication sphere, the doctrine is designed to ensure a balance between the interests of society and the state, creating equal conditions for the exercise of rights by all subjects of the media process.

Public administration and control of information policy in the Republic of Kazakhstan is a system of bodies, mechanisms and tools that ensure the functioning of the state, the implementation of state policy and control over compliance with laws. This system covers various spheres of public life, including the economy, social sphere, politics, law and order and information security, as well as the activities of state bodies to develop and implement policies aimed at ensuring stable development of the country, compliance with laws and protecting the interests of citizens.

Forms of state control in Kazakhstan are the creation of state bodies responsible for information policy (Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, legislative bodies, etc.), control over the dissemination of information, including the fight against disinformation and extremist, content. state support for the media and the development of digital public services.

The information policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan is a system of measures aimed at regulating the information space, ensuring freedom of speech, developing digital technologies and protecting national interests. Its implementation is carried out through various mechanisms that include legislative regulation, public administration, infrastructure development and international cooperation.

Thus, the ides of information policy determine its focus and scope, and the forms of implementation allow us to implement these areas. In today's world, information policy plays a key role in regulating the media space, ensuring cybersecurity, and protecting citizens ' rights in the digital age.

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^[148] On the approval of the Information Doctrine of the Republic of Kazakhstan
March 20, 2023

^[149] https://online.zakon.kz/Document/?doc_id=31396226&pos=3;-106#pos=3;-106/ Accessed on 24.02.2025