On 9 August 2008, the Sughd province prosecutor’s office filed a criminal case against Tursunali Aliev, a local journalist who is accused of libel and defamation (Article 135 of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code). The motive for filing the case was an feuilleton titled “Shame on chairman…” written by Aliev and published on 12 September in the “Tong” newspaper.

The publication revealed facts of illegal privatization of public property in the district. After the publication, chairman of the Jabbarrasoul district in Sughd province Ayub Ochilov was removed from office. The province prosecutor’s office filed a case against the chairman’s deputy, Mr. Rakhmatov; although, later, the investigation was terminated.

Attempts to bring Aliev to criminal responsibility were made almost a year ago, shortly after the publication of his article. But the prosecutor’s office found no components of crime in his professional activities.

Now, the Sughd province prosecutor’s office has returned to this issue and filed a new case against Aliev.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

“Legal aspects of journalism” is the title of the workshop held from 22 to 24 August in the city of Penjikent, Sughd province.

The seminar was organized by the NGO “Women of the East” under financial support from the Norwegian Helsinki Human Rights Committee.

During the two-day training course, the Penjikent journalists learned about changes and amendments to the Law “On printing and other mass media”, and with other legal bases of journalism, such as access to information, collection of data, limitations in access to publically important information, etc.

One of the most topical issues discussed at the seminar was the theme of rights and duties of journalists. It became obvious that not all of the local media professionals are familiar with their rights, which, in turn, leads to self-censorship among journalists.

Participants acknowledged that self-censorship is becoming a common feature of Tajik journalists, who “adjust” their materials to what is considered to be acceptable among the authorities. Thus, they do not dare to tread on forbidden ground, avoiding serious political, social and economic issues.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

Due to popular demand, the International Center for Journalists will run the online course «An Introduction to Investigative Reporting» for the second time this year. Arabic-speaking journalists are invited to apply.

The deadline for new applications is September 5. Individuals who applied, but were not selected, for the first round of training do not need to reapply as their applications will automatically be considered for the new course.

Led by several ICFJ instructors, the course will take place between September 26 and October 31.

Topics to be covered during the course include: how investigative reporting differs from other types of reporting; how to find story ideas; how to develop sources; the importance of public records for an investigative report and how best to use them; effective Internet research; what is computer-assisted reporting (CAR); how to conduct effective interviews; using undercover reporting; organizing and writing an investigative report; ethical considerations when working on an investigative report.

The course is open to computer-literate Arabic-speaking journalists with at least one year of professional experience. Participants must be willing to spend time reading materials, researching assignments and interacting online with instructors and fellow participants.

Please follow the instructions below to submit your application:

1. Visit https://e-learn.icfj.org/?lang=ar_utf8

2. Click on the application link.

3. Click «Create new account.»

4. Complete the registration form.

5. Check your email and confirm your account by clicking on the link.

6. Login at http://e-learn.icfj.org/?lang=ar_utf8 and complete the course application form.

About ICFJ’s Online Courses

ICFJ is reaching journalists in the Middle East and Iran with instructor-led courses on key topics such as crisis reporting and business coverage. ICFJ also offers a library of online training tools on topics such as citizen reporting and personal finance coverage.

https://www.ijnet.org/ijnet/training_materials/icfj_to_offer_online_course_on_investigative_journali

Washington, D.C. — The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) announces the launch of a new version of its online portal IJNet.org on August 27. The site connects an unparalleled global network of journalists and media development organizations through cutting-edge social networking tools, discussion spaces, forums and news stories on worldwide journalism activities.

The revamped IJNet site offers thousands of international journalists in its online community the latest networking tools in Arabic, English, Persian, Portuguese and Spanish. Individual journalists and organizations are able to create advanced profiles, where they can highlight their work, post news and invite others to join their network. They can also search for each other by e-mail address, IJNet screen name, location, organization, area of expertise, language and any other information the user provides. Users with profiles can join discussions, post to IJNet Answers, and take advantage of a variety other interactive features.

The site also offers new tools for media development organizations and professionals. The Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) section brings the latest industry news to its 400 member organizations, the media assistance community, development professionals and funders worldwide. Its interactive platform allows users to share information and programs in an effort to promote efficiency and cooperation.

«This new platform enables journalists and media trainers to collaborate in exciting, new ways,» said ICFJ President Joyce Barnathan. «For the first time, they will be able to link directly to one another, sharing resources and spurring collaboration.»

Launched in 1998, IJNet is the leading resource for the latest media news alerts, training opportunities and discussion for journalists worldwide. Its weekly e-mail bulletin has grown tenfold since its inception, reaching more than 18,000 subscribers from more than 100 countries. The Web site receives nearly 20,000 unique visitors each month.

IJNet is sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Open Society Institute, the National Endowment for Democracy, the Eurasia Foundation, the New Eurasia Foundation and friends of ICFJ.

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), a non-profit, professional organization, promotes quality journalism worldwide in the belief that independent, vigorous media are crucial in improving the human condition. Aiming to raise the standards of journalism, ICFJ offers hands-on training workshops, seminars, fellowships and international exchanges to journalists and media managers around the globe. For more information, visit www.icfj.org

http://by102w.bay102.mail.live.com/mail/mail.aspx?rru=inbox&wa=wsignin1.0

Working journalists from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin American and the Middle East are encouraged to apply for fellowships to report on the U.N. Climate Change Summit, in Poznan, Poland from December 1 to 12.

The fellowships, provided by Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP), include editorial support, daily briefings on the negotiations, a field trip and help in securing interviews.

Applicants can work in electronic, print, radio or television media and have experience in reporting on development or environmental issues

For more information, email CCMP@panos.org.uk or Mike Shanahan at mike.shanahan@iied.org.

https://www.ijnet.org/ijnet/training_opportunities/fellowships_available_for_journalists_to_attend_c

Residents of the most densely populated Bokhtar district in Khatlon province do not have access to local news and information
800 subscribers of the district “Bokhtar” weekly cannot timely receive the newspaper. By some reasons, the local authorities cannot appoint the editor to their own printing outlet. Since March 2007, the “Bokhtar” weekly has not had the editor, whereas its only writing author, Mukimjon Mukhtorov, has been in the hospital for two months.

Upon the initiative of the newspaper’s accountant, Sanobar Khudoidodova, six issues of “Bokhtar” have been released in 2008; each of them dedicated to certain political and historic events. However, the staff cannot receive their salaries for several months. The district finance department does not provide the money in view of the absence of editor’s signature.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

Heads of some Tajik ministries and government institutions gave orders to their press services not to come in contact with journalists and not to provide them with any information without preliminary approval from chief executives. Journalists are instructed to submit their questions in written form well in advance.

On 20 August, Zulfikori Ismoliyon, correspondent of Radio Liberty approached the press secretary of the Tajik Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to find out whether such and order restricting access to information has ever been issued. Ismoliyon was advised to apply to the head of the Ministry’s Public Relations Unit. However, the head of that unit ignored the request of the journalist and gave no any answer at all.

It should be noted that a Memorandum on Cooperation between the State Structures and the Media was signed on 9 August in Dushanbe. In reality, the public officials have been doing their best to worsen access to information.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

The Tajik Supreme Court’s officials groundlessly denied a request of a local journalist who needed information about the number of individuals convicted to life imprisonment.

On 12 August, Mahina Davronova, correspondent of the Imrouz radio approached Mahmadali Yusupov, the Tajik Supreme Court’s press secretary with a request to provide her with information on the number of individuals convicted to life imprisonment in Tajikistan.

Davronova told the NANSMIT monitoring service that the press secretary denied her request saying that the Supreme Court does not have such information on record, and, secondly, these data refer to National Security Information.

The journalist then approached the National Association of Independent Media to find out whether the denial of her request is grounded. Our monitoring service consulted the Tajik Human Rights Bureau and the OSCE Center in Dushanbe, after which we came to the conclusion about the groundlessness of such denial since statistical figures on the number of convicted to life imprisonment has nothing to do with the State secrecy.

The Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On the list of data constituting the State secrecy in the sphere of security and law enforcement” clearly defines the categories of such data. Article 9, Clause 22 of the present Law contains the following categories of State secrecy: “Data on the execution of sentences regarding those convicted to exceptional measure of punishment: arrangement of the execution and burial; the venue of execution; individuals executing sentences; places of burial of individuals convicted and executed”. The Law contains no provisions on the number of individuals convicted to life sentences. Article 6 of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On State Secrecy” defines the data referring to the State secrets. According to this Law, information about law and order does not refer to State secrets.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

The OSCE Bureau in Dushanbe is planning to help Tajik journalists in studying English language.

Farrukhsho Junaidov, the OSCE press assistant told the NANSMIT Monitoring Service that the first training course will be launched in September 2008. All futures students should fill in a questionnaire, which is available at the following link: http://www.nansmit.tj/?page=events&id=75

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

The Tajik Union of Journalists and the Drug Control Agency under the President’s Office have launched a national contest on the best coverage of problems related to narcotics and the ideas of healthy life style for Tajikistan’s printing and electronic media.

The contest is being held within the frameworks of the project “Public awareness, harm reduction and preventive measures in drug consumption among the youth in Tajikistan” funded by the European Union and the United Nations Development Program.

Among the participants are all Tajik printing and electronic media, which – during the period of 1 January – 1 September 2008 – have published or broadcast materials on this theme. The contest does not restrict journalists in genre; organizers accept interviews, reportages, essays, feature stories, documentaries, analytical articles, etc.

Union of Journalists of Tajikistan