The pluralism of the Kyrgyz media is exceptional in Central Asia but major challenges remain. The polarization of Kyrgyz society is reflected in the media and the environment for journalists. There is still a great deal of self-censorship on certain subjects, such as inter-ethnic relations, and concerns are mounting in the run-up to the November 2017 presidential election. In addition to his verbal attacks on critical media, President Almazbek Atambayev has also brought criminal defamation actions against some of them, seeking tens of thousands of euros in damages. Civil society has managed to block proposed draconian laws but the parliament has reintroduced prison sentences for certain media offenses and plans to limit foreign investment in the media and to impose a Russian-style ban on “homosexual propaganda.”