Kazakhstan journalists have a new code of ethics, Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty reported.

The code was launched by the government's Ministry of Culture and Information earlier this week as "an instrument of self-discipline  for journalists, a moral and ethical standard for journalists that helps reporters and mass media earn society's trust and respect."

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty added that while the code made its debut "at a joint session of Kazakhstan’s Union of Journalists and the Club of Chief Editors," other "independent journalists and rights defenders...condemned the code" as "self-censorship."

Kazakhstan is ranked 154 of 179 countries on Reporters without Borders' annual press freedom index.