This report is based upon messages from the Tajik media and the NANSMIT monitoring network.
In June 2010 the NANSMIT Monitoring Service received 16 reports. Five of them describe the factual situation in the media in the light of socio-legal and political environment; five reports describe direct violations of rights of media professionals; and six 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
June 3
Ibrohim Usmonov, chairman of the Tajik Media Council, Dushanbe
“Disrespect to women is manifested in this or that extent in 99 percent of publications in the Tajik media”, — said Ibrohim Usmonov, chairman of the Tajik Media Council. He made this remark on 3 June in Dushanbe at a round table on the topic “Studies of legal and moral reasons for bringing the Tajik media to judicial liability”.
According to Usmonov, the vast majority of publications present a woman as a servant to her husband, a prostitute, an avaricious creature seeking for easy money, etc. “The media do not publish stories presenting women as prominent politicians, successful entrepreneurs, or, say, simply a good journalist”, — he added.
June 25
All media, Dushanbe
Twenty newspapers and five magazines have been registered in the Ministry of Culture since the beginning of this year compared to 24 newspapers and 18 magazines during the same period of 2009.
All the five magazines are based in Dushanbe. The magazine “Navnikhol” will be printed once a month in Tajik, Russian and English languages. All these magazines are sectorial, i.e. their founders are ministries and government agencies.
Seven out of the twenty newspapers are sectorial; the rest of them are private. Nine newspapers will be published in Dushanbe; eight – in Sughd province; one in GBAO; and one in Rasht valley.
Experts note that very few magazines survive in the current conditions. Usually, shortly after registration they get closed, not being able to cope with numerous challenges, including the lack of experienced personnel.
2. Journalists protecting their civil and professional rights
June 17
All media, Dushanbe
On 16 June the Tajik Union of Journalists hosted a round table on the issues of access to information. The event was organized by the National Association of Independent Media (NANSMIT).
It was stressed that “Information cannot be divulged only if it contains elements of the state, banking or commercial secrets”. The Tajik Constitution, the “Law on printing and other mass media”, the “Law on Television and Radio” clearly explain that media professionals have the right to timely receive reliable and quality information.
June 28
All media, Dushanbe
On 28 June, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) held a seminar in Dushanbe on the topic “Interactions between state press services and the media”. The event was held within the framework of the project “Human rights and legal education through the media in Central Asia” financed by the European Commission and technically supported by the National Association of Independent Media (NANSMIT). NANSMIT is currently implementing another similar project — “Strengthening the media freedom network in Tajikistan” supported by Internews and funded by USAID.
The main purpose of the seminar is to improve access to official sources of information and develop practical skills of interaction between the state press services, NGOs and the media.
II. VIOLATION OF RIGHTS IN THE MEDIA
1. Obstructions to professional activities
June 10
Usmon Khushvakhtov, head of mayor’s office administration in Kulyab
The resent disastrous floods in Kulyab became the main topic of publications in the media. Usmon Khushvakhtov, head of the mayor’s office administration told the Ozodagon weekly (#25, 10.06.2010) that certain authors pursued their sordid goals defaming some public officials.
In particular, Khushvakhtov criticized the story published in Ozodagon on 12 May. The official says that the publication goes beyond the standards of media ethics. “Although the Constitution guarantees the freedom of speech, actions of certain individuals cannot go beyond the framework of laws”.
2. Violation of professional rights
19 June
Zarina Abduvakhidova, head of Persian service, Radio Ovozi Tojik, Dushanbe
Zarina Abduvakhidova, employee of the Radio Ovozi Tojik Persian service was sacked from the post of the head of the service and appointed to the position of editor, according to the Order issued by the chairman of the State TV and Radio Committee on 3 March 2010.
On 17 May, Ms. Abduvakhidova applied to the Ismoili Somoni district court in Dushanbe with a request to reinstate her in the former position and reimburse moral and material losses.
On 18 June, the Ismoili Somoni district court settled the suit in favor of the journalist. Abduvakhidova will be reinstated in her previous position. Besides that, the court obliged the TV & Radio Committee to pay the claimant the due amount as a compensation for illegal demotion.
This is a precedent of a kind – the case was resolved in favor of the journalist.
3. Ungrounded limitation in access to information
24 June
Kharamgul Kodiri, freelance journalist
Freelance journalist Kharamgul Kodiri complains in her article that Tajik parliamentarians hide from journalists (Nigokh weekly, #14, 23.06.2010). “They find all kind of excuses to avoid a meeting with media representatives”. Kodiri calls the Tajik parliament “The valley of dumbness”.
III. CONFLICTS. VIOLATIONS INCRIMINATED TO THE MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS
1. Protection of honor, dignity and business reputation
3 June
Millat weekly, Dushanbe
The Dushanbe city court sent the text of an article published in the Millat weekly to the Tajik Institute of Language and Literature for a linguistic expertise. The Ministry of Agriculture accused the newspaper of insult and defamation – because of the article titled “The Ministry of Agriculture is the most corrupt government institution”.
Junaid Ibodov, the lawyer representing the interests of Millat in court, said that the claim of the Ministry looks illogical since “insult” refers to the category of criminal cases. According to Article 136 of the Tajik Criminal Code, only individuals can be considered as victims of insult; and none of legal entities or institutions could be considered victims of insult or defamation.
The lawyer stated that the newspaper is going to appeal against the court decision since it contradicts the Tajik legislation.
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 Karshibaev