In September 2009 the NANSMIT Monitoring Service received 25 reports. Twenty of them describe the factual situation in the media in the light of socio-legal and political environment; two reports describe direct violations of rights of media professionals; and three reports describe conflicts and accusations against the media and journalists.
I. PECULIARITIES OF POLITICAL, SOCIAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL CLIMATE IN THE COUNTRY DEFINING THE FACTUAL SITUATION IN THE MEDIA
1. Public speeches and statements of superior officials defining the factual situation in the mass media
2 September
All media, Dushanbe
President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon took part in the ceremony of commissioning of an apartment building. The new dwelling complex was built for employees of the State TV and Radio Committee under the Tajik government. Prior to the opening ceremony Rakhmon laid the first stone in the fundament of another dwelling complex.
23 September
All media, Dushanbe
“The footnote on the last page saying that “the newspaper bears no responsibility for publication” does not exempt the outlet from liability” – said Naim Amirbekov, chairman of the Tajik Lawyers’ Board at a meeting with the media. Amirbekov says that the responsibility can be only established by the court.
26 September
All media, Khatlon province
On 16 July at the session of parliamentarians of Khatlon province chairman of Khatlon Gaibulloi Avzal ordered his subordinates to allocate additional funds for city and district newspapers – so that they would be published on a weekly basis.
However, according to a blitz survey conducted by the NANSMIT monitoring service, among 14 out of 25 city and district newspapers in the province, administrations are reluctant to perform the order. Moreover, many editors and publishers are not even aware of that order.
Experts indicate that most of the newspapers in Khatlon are in “alarming condition”.
2. Evaluation of the factual status of the media and the freedom of speech
2 September
“Student.tj”, Dushanbe
The first issue of a newspaper for youth “Sudent.tj” was published on 31 August, on the eve of the Knowledge Day celebrated in schools and universities. The founder of the new printing outlet is the Charkhi Gardun commercial company.
Akbarali Sattor, director of Charkhi Gardun said that the new weekly will be published in Tajik and Russian languages. He also told the NANSMIT monitoring service that his company is planning to launch a special magazine for creative professionals “The world of music and cinema”.
7 September
Asia Plus Radio, Dushanbe
Radio Asia Plus, one of the first private radio companies in Tajikistan celebrated its seventh anniversary. Asia Plus launched its first broadcast on 9 September 2002.
Asia Plus is an information-entertaining FM radio station broadcasting in Tajik and Russian languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Dushanbe and its suburbs.
9 September
All media, Dushanbe
Several private printing outlets and a few radio companies are celebrating their anniversaries. Among them are Radio Asia Plus, the Bonuvoni Tojikiston magazine, and the SSSR weekly.
Many of the currently operating media had significant problems with licensing, and only due to efforts of the civil society and the international community they managed to succeed.
27 September
Ovozi Gonchi, district newspaper, Sughd province
Festivities on the occasion of the 80-s anniversary of Gonchi district in Sughd province and the 70-s anniversary of the Ovozi Gonchi (The Voice of Gonchi) took place on 27 September.
3. Journalists protecting their civil and professional rights
2 September
Faculty of the Tajik Philology and Journalism, Kulyab State University, Kulyab, Khatlon province
The faculty of Tajik language and literature in the Kulyab State University is transformed into the faculty of Tajik philology and journalism.
There are 19 newly enrolled students, out of whom more than 70 percent are girls. The university administration hired several new professors, and, in it is planned to involve experienced media professionals for both curricular and extracurricular activities in the future.
Journalism is becoming popular in Kulyab. Recently 14 young people have passed a six-month practical training at the local newspaper Pazhvok. The project was supported by the US-based NGO Urban Institute and funded by USAID.
15 September
All media
Within the framework of the project “Mobilization of the media in Central Asia to protect the rights of women and children” journalists from printing and electronic media produced 16 feature stories, 12 radio programs and 4 documentaries. These works cover various aspects of life among women and children in Central Asia.
The produced materials were evaluated by the BBC Trust Fund, local and foreign media consultants. Young journalists received practical support from their experienced colleagues.
15 September
All media
Dushanbe hosted the final conference on the project “Mobilization of the media in Central Asia to protect the rights of women and children”. The project was implemented under support of the BBC Trust Fund jointly with international and local experts and financial support of the European Commission. The conference was attended by representatives of the Tajik media community, leaders of NGOs working in the sphere of women and child rights.
15 September
Public Unit Khoma, Dushanbe
The public organization Khoma has launched a new TV show “Tavozun” (Balance) at the State TV company Safina. The program is being produced within the framework of the project “Central Asia Invest” of the European Union and the project “Enhancing professional skills and public influence of Tajik business associations” implemented by Internews Europe. The project is targeted to improving business environment in Tajikistan through support of entrepreneurship and better coverage of business topics in the local mass media.
17 September
Imruz, private radio company, Dushanbe
On 17 September private radio company Imruz launched its broadcasting in the northern Sughd province of Tajikistan. Rustami Joni, director of the radio company said that so far it could broadcast only in the capital, although it has its correspondents in other parts of the country.
Now, Radio Imruz also covers the cities of Khujand, Chkalovsk, and Bobojongafurov district of Sughd province. The Oriono Media company, which owns Radio Imruz invested $15 thousand for the expansion of its broadcasting.
22 September
All media, Dushanbe
The 7 Central Asia Festival of Ecological Journalism was opened on 22 September in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe.
The festival is organized under support of state, international and public organizations. The five countries of Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan – presented their media works.
The contest within the framework of the Festival covers media works presented by TV companies, radio stations and printing outlets on the following topics: biodiversity, transboundary water issues, climate change and ecological tourism.
II. VIOLATION OF RIGHTS IN THE MEDIA
1. Impediments to professional activities in the media
3 September
Kulyab city television, Kulyab, Khatlon province
Journalist of the Kulyab city television Khudoyor Valiev was beaten by Karakhon Makhmudov, an official from the Khatlon province education department. The behavior of the official was discussed at an official meeting. Mr. Makhmudiov is an elderly person; in this regard, he received only a public censure for his dishonorable behavior.
2. Violation of economic rights of a medium
3 September
Radio Imruz, Dushanbe
Radio Imruz has renewed its broadcasting after a long recess. Broadcasting was stopped by a technical service under the Tajik Ministry of Transport and Communications, which discovered disrepair in the company’s transmitter.
III. CONFLICTS. VIOLATIONS INCRIMINATED TO THE MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS
1. Claim for protection of honor, dignity and business reputation affected by publication of certain data
3 September
Private newspaper Paikon, Dushanbe
The Supreme Court of Tajikistan considers that the article titled “Came from Israel to look for justice published in the Paikon weekly on 11 June 2009 is unsubstantiated.
The article described trials between a woman who came from Israel to resolve her claims on private property in Dushanbe. The Supreme Court, referring to statements made by experts, and court hearings made arrived to a decision that the publication is unsubstantiated.
2 September
Farazh weekly, Dushanbe
Editor of the Farazh newspaper received a letter from chairman of the Istravshan city court in response to an article titled “Lynch-law in Istravshan”, criticizing judicial proceedings in the court.
Chairman of the court complains that the publication is biased and superficial; the author interviewed only an attorney of the defendant and his relatives, who are not properly familiar with the case.
9 September
Private newspaper Paikon, Dushanbe
The State Finance Control and Anticorruption Agency considers that the public appeal of a group of entrepreneurs to President Rakhmon published by Paikon weekly on 22 July 2009 is unsubstantiated and unlawful.
The Agency required publication of refutation in response to the article, which – in their opinion – “contain wrong information, and defames honor and dignity of the Agency”.
This report is based on compiled materials from the media and private information presented by correspondents of the NANSMIT Monitoring Network
Coordinator of the Monitoring Service
Abdufattokh Vokhidov
Project Manager
Nuriddin Karshibayev