President condemns promotion of ostentatious luxury and the cult of “easy money“

Tengrinews.kz — President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has condemned the promotion of ostentatious, idle lifestyles in the media and social networks.

"The promotion of flashy luxury and the cult of easy money is unacceptable, as it leads the younger generation astray, distorting their worldview and values. Instead of an illusory world of demonstrative waste and senseless idleness, the youth should see clear, compelling examples of creative labor, honest earnings, and high inner culture in the media space," the Head of State said at an awards ceremony for media workers.

In Tokayev's view, modern journalists are called upon to combine two vital roles: to be an impartial mirror truthfully and objectively reflecting reality, and a powerful searchlight of enlightenment illuminating the nation's path toward progress.

"Today, united as a single nation, we are building a prosperous, modern, and progressive state. However, this does not mean we can consign our ancestral values to oblivion. We must revive the noble qualities inherent in our people. Our citizens, especially the youth, must have a deep understanding of this," the President stated.

Tokayev emphasized that a country possessing a high culture will enjoy recognition and authority worldwide. True culture, he noted, begins with simple rules: adhering to moral principles both at home and in public, knowing how to conduct oneself in society, and respecting others.

"Kazakhs have never crossed the line of decency; they have always honored their elders and cared for the younger generation. They treated their neighbors with compassion and extended a helping hand to those who stumbled. These are our true traits. Therefore, any actions that infringe upon human honor and dignity or threaten safety are unacceptable. I constantly maintain that as a progressive country, we must root civilized ethical norms based on our traditions within society. Strengthening work in this direction is a task of paramount importance. Folk wisdom says: 'The pen reforms the nation.' We place great hopes on you—the journalistic community. I believe that information professionals must take a most active part in promoting values that contribute to improving the quality of the nation," the President noted.

Previously, Tokayev stated that in an era of "informational vacuity, triviality, and primitivism," the value of quality journalism increases manifold.