The Kazakh government is facing a media backlash over efforts to restrict journalists’ access to top officials. Authorities contend that recently introduced regulations on media access emulate those already in place in the West. The origin of the brewing controversy dates to August, when officials restricted access without advance notice for journalists seeking to cover a Cabinet of Ministers meeting. Previously, journalists had been able to go to the third floor of the government building, where cabinet meetings occur. But on this occasion, journalists were told that they would have to cover …