In January 2011 the NANSMIT Monitoring Service received 20 reports. Eleven of them describe the factual situation in the media in the light of socio-legal and political environment; seven reports describe direct violations of rights of media professionals; and two reports describe conflicts and accusations against the media and journalists.
I. 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
January, 10
Kulyab city, Khatlon province
The Khatlon province authorities have opened an information-analytical unit in the administrative center, the city of Kulyab. The unit will coordinate activities of the media in ten districts of Khatlon province.
The unit will be headed by Temursho Faizaliev, correspondent of the Sadoi Mardum (Voice of People) weekly in Khatlon province. The creation of the media unit is based upon the necessity of covering big territories in the province.
According to NANSMIT monitoring service, the 10 districts of Khatlon with the population of 1 million have access to 10 newspapers (printing bodies of local administrations); two TV stations – one government and one private – broadcast in Khatlon.
13 January
Sukhrob Sharipov, Strategic Research Center under the President’s office
“The Party of Islamic Renaissance of Tajikistan (PIRT) is hardly more popular than the Communist Party of Tajikistan. However, our journalists give preference to PIRT thus ignoring the opinions of the other seven political parties”, — said Sukhrob Sharipov, director of the Strategic Research Center under the Office of the President.
The director of the state think tank considers that the government and the media pay way too much attention to PIRT. “Parliamentary elections last year showed the real popularity of PIRT – only two representatives got their seats in the parliament”.
Sharipov states that Tajikistan should not follow the suit of Islamic countries. “The Islamic states nowadays are the most undeveloped. We have chosen the democratic way and must go along this way. We can keep on going only if we stick to the democratic, secular and legal orientation”, — he said.
13 January
Usmon Solekhov, head of the PDPT public relations unit, Dushanbe
“The People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT) has no problems in relations with the media”, — said Usmon Solekhov, head of the PDPT public relations unit. The statement was made in response to the speech of Sukhrob Sharipov, director of the government think tank who criticized the Tajik media for paying excessive attention to the Islamic Renaissance Party and ignoring the other political forces in the country.
Solekhov said that PDPT has its own printing body – the Minbari Khalk weekly; and the party remains open for all media, including private ones.
“In certain cases, private newspapers refuse to publish articles and interviews prepared by our party, but this is their absolute right”, — he added.
Solekhov considers that certain political parties are passive in their relations with the media, and this is their own fault; journalists have nothing to do with that.
14 January
Asadullo Rakhmonov, Broadcasting Committee under the government, Dushanbe
According to Asadullo Rakhmonov, head of the Tajik State TV and Radio Committee under the government, ten applicants were denied TV broadcasting license in 2010.
According to Rakhmonov, the reason for denial is the “lack of registration documents”, i.e. the applicants failed to present the whole package of required papers. The official added that “most of those who want to create a TV company do not have sources of financing and proper documents confirming compliance of their equipment to existing technical standards”.
14 January
Asadullo Rakhmonov, Broadcasting Committee under the government, Dushanbe
Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan cannot settle the issue of joint TV broadcasting. According to the REGNUM news agency, Iran has failed to deliver the promised broadcasting equipment.
Asadullo Rakhmonov, chairman of the Tajik broadcasting body under the government told the media that the broadcasting studio in Dushanbe is ready, but the Iranian counterparts delay the delivery of equipment, and Afghanistan ignores meetings to discuss the issue.
Prior to that, the Iranian ambassador in Dushanbe told journalists that the constant putting-off of the launching of the joint TV channel is caused by the position of the Afghan colleagues. Although the ambassador did not get into details, experts say that the Afghan counterparts are not disgruntled over the name of the new broadcasting enterprise – “Persian-language TV Channel” – saying that most of Afghanistani are Pashtu for whom the Persian language is not their mother tongue.
Experts also say that the parties cannot agree on the broadcasting schedule, contents of TV programs and the appearance of TV anchors. Iran and Afghanistan are Islamic states, and Tajikistan is a secular one.
The decision on creation of a joint Persian-language TV channel was reached in July 2006 in Tehran between the presidents of Tajikistan and Iran. In March 2008, at a tripartite meeting in Dushanbe, Afghanistan joined the initiative. It was also agreed that the broadcasting studio will be located in the Tajik capital.
2. Factual situation in the media and the freedom of speech
14 January
Freedom House, USA
The international human rights watchdog Freedom House published its annual report where Tajikistan is rated in the category of “non-free” countries.
In 2011, Freedom House defined the freedom index in 194 countries and 14 territorial units. The rate scale is from 1 to 7. There are three dimensions of freedom for the countries: free, partially free and non-free. The free countries are given the index 1.
Tajikistan gained 6 points in the rating of political rights, i.e. it belongs to the category of countries with no political freedoms. In the rating of freedom of society Tajikistan gained 5 points.
Freedom House indicates the overall deterioration for five years in a row, hitting the all time high in the 40 years of the ratings’ history.
The most undemocratic are North Korea, Turkmenistan, Libya, Uzbekistan, Sudan and Iran.
Among the former Soviet countries, the Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Kyrgyz Republic are named “partially free states”. The “free states” are Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have belonged to the category of “non-free countries”.
Freedom House has been involved in annual ratings of civil and political freedoms since 1972.
January 27
Bozor Sobir, Tajik poet, Dushanbe
“The Tajik mass media are not free; it cannot bring any benefit to the people”, — said Bozor Sobir, a popular Tajik poet. (Interview with the Millat weekly, #04, 26.02.2011).
“The Tajik press outlets publish everything – all kinds of jokes and gibberish… The “existing” freedom of expression is only for the benefit of spiritual leaders and mosques”.
Bozor Sobir noted that there is a necessity to introduce censorship in printing media and book publishing. “Dushanbe is overstaffed with useless books; even the authors don’t read them. Those books cannot do any good to the people. Unless measures are taken, this mess will keep going…”
3. Journalists protecting their civil and professional rights
January, 04
The Committee of 29 September, Dushanbe
The Coalition of the Tajik media organizations recently formed for protection of professional rights and journalists – The Committee of 29 September – has declared its voluntary dissolution in connection with main tasks.
In October 2010, a group of media managers, representatives of media and public organizations and particular activists created a media coalition, which was named “The Committee of 29 September”. This name is related to the date of the beginning of the unprecedented pressing of the Tajik independent mass media.
On 29 September 2010, the authorities blocked access to two local and three foreign web sites (Avesta.Tj; Tojnews.Tj and Tjknews.com; Ferghana.Ru; Centrasia.Ru accordingly). A few days later, the Tax Committee officials accompanied by the state TV crews held inspections of all private printing houses countrywide, after which the latter refused to provide their services to three private newspapers – Farazh, Nigokh, and Paykon. These actions were also accompanied by statements of the Minister of Defense accusing the private media of provocations and “jetting a crisis” upon the background of a complicated military-political situation. There was another particular statement about censoring of the contents of all periodicals prior to printing.
Members of the Committee promised to coordinate their activities and undertake all possible legal actions in order to return the situation to the previous state and terminate censorship.
It should be noted that the main participants of the Committee – representatives of the four blocked online sources and one association, NANSMIT – have undertaken joint actions to accomplish the tasks. These actions have resulted in the following:
— a statement addressed to the head of the state and his direct subordinates;
— a statement addressed to the international human rights bodies and foreign governments;
— a wide-scale public information campaign focused on the problems in the area of the freedom of speech (development of a web blog; social network pages; launching of banners; a series of interviews in foreign online media and TV);
— preparation of claims and legal actions against the government bodies exercising and supporting pressure against the independent media;
— negotiations with parties involved.
These actions have caused an international resonance and essential feedback in the Tajik government and non-governmental organizations. Gradually, the web sites were unblocked; the newspapers Nigokh and Farazh resumed their publications.
By 1 January 2011, the Committee fully accomplished its tasks. The attempts to limit the media freedom are neutralized by the Committee; the local media work in normal mode. Thus, the Committee decided to declare its voluntary dissolution.
Along with that, the media and other organizations, the former members of the coalition henceforth, jointly and individually, will keep protecting the indispensable rights of citizens on access to information. The web site of the coalition – http://tjk29.livejpurnal.com and the e-mail address – komitet29@gmail.com will be valid for further activities and consolidation of the media community to keep informing the public about the problems and the progress of the parties, former members of the coalition, as well as about the monitoring of rights in the media.
The created coalition, its success and victories have proven that the media community is a serious public force able to influence the processes of democratic development and civil rights.
January, 20
The Tajik Media Alliance, Dushanbe
The Tajik Media Alliance called on the resigned staff of the Vetecherny Dushanbe weekly and the owner of the newspaper to hold negotiations and find consensus in the conflict.
“The conflict may result in idleness of our colleagues who must keep covering the ongoing events in the country and perform their professional duties”, — said Khurshed Niyozov, the secretary of the Media Alliance.
On 19 January, the whole staff of Vetcherny Dushanbe made a statement of resignation in view of “rude violations by the owner of the newspaper against the personnel”.
In his turn, Akbarali Sattorov, director general of the Charkhi Gardun Ltd, which the newspaper belongs to stated that the journalists’ actions is sabotage.
The Media Alliance is ready to play the role of a mediator and peacemaker in this conflict. Niyozov added that this incident may have a negative impact on the recent successes and achievements of the Tajik mass media.
January, 28
All media, Kurgan-Tube
Independent journalists in the city of Kurgan-Tube organized a press club. This public organization will hold monthly meetings to discuss the issues of professional development, legal support and analyze publications in the local media.
II. VIOLATION OF RIGHTS IN THE MEDIA
1. Accusation of libel and insult
January, 6
Makhmadyusuf Ismoilov, correspondent, Nuri Zindagi weekly, Khujand, Sughd province
The International human rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders calls for the release of Makhmadyusuf Ismoilov, a newspaper reporter who has been detained arbitrarily by prosecutors in Khujand, in the northern province of Sughd, since 23 November.
Ismoilov was arrested at the behest of the regional prosecutor’s office one day after an article he wrote about its alleged corrupt and irregular practices was published in the newspaper Istikol. His detention is clearly designed to stop him working as regional correspondent.
He has often criticized the local authorities during the three years that he has worked as a Khujand-based reporter for various newspapers including the national weekly Nuri Zindagi. It is regrettable that the only response from the local authorities to his criticism it to arrest him. It is doubtful that regional prosecutor Anvar Kanoat’s investigation is impartial.
Ismoilov is charged under various articles of the criminal code with libel, insulting an official, inciting religious and racial hatred and blackmail. Nuriddin Karshiboyev, the head of the National Association of Independent Media of Tajikistan (NANSMIT), says he is being prosecuted solely because of what he wrote.
The trial is due to take place at the end of January and the Sughd regional court has ordered that Ismoilov be detained throughout the pre-trial investigation. Nuri Zindagi editor Djumo Mirzo has received a letter from the prosecutor requesting copies of all the articles that Ismoilov has written for the newspaper.
Reporters Without Borders calls for Ismoilov’s release pending the start of the trial. It also supports NANSMIT’s call for a fair trial and respect for the right to an independent defence.
The situation of the media and access to information has still not returned to normal after the crackdown carried out by the Tajik authorities in September (http://en.rsf.org/tadjikistan-after-using-civil-war-spectre-to-15-10-2010,38552.html). Several news websites are still experiencing hosting problems and some newspapers, including Faraj and Paikhon, are still being harassed and having problems finding a printer.
2. Impediments to professional activities
January, 21
Khosiyat Komilova, K Plus TV, Khujand, Sughd province
On 21 January 2011, the law enforcement agencies managed to prevent a terrorist attack in Khujand. Two suspiciously looking vehicles stuffed with hand-made bombs were parked near the premises of the Interior Department.
Khosiyat Komilova and Ekhson Ibragimov, two journalists from the local TV company K Plus made some shooting for a news program; however, upon their return to the TV station, they were visited by two law enforcement officers who invited the journalists for clarification of “certain details” related to the evacuation of local residents.
“When we left the office, we saw a police car and six armed policemen. We were placed in the vehicle and delivered to the Khujand city Interior Department”, — told Komilova.
The journalists were reproached for filming of “secret objects”. The policemen said the journalists had no right for shooting and sent their technician to the TV station to destroy the filmed meterials.
Komilova complains that the law enforcement bodies in Sughd province are reluctant to cooperate with the media. “We have to go through a number of offices to get permission for information”, — she said.
The incident with the K Plus is not the first of this kind. In September 2010, the Sughd province law enforcement servicemen detained journalists working for the local and international media and confiscated their equipment. A journalist from the Asia TV & Radio company was beaten by the police; they threw his photo camera in the river.
January, 27
Abdunasim Rajab, freelance photo journalist, Dushanbe
On 27 January, during a training photo session, the police detained Abdunasim Rajab, a student of the Tajik National University.
Rajab complains that the policemen treated him like a criminal.
The student was performing a task filming in the streets of Dushanbe. After the detention by the traffic police, he was delivered to the Shohmansur district police station where he was charged with filming police officers. The student was forced to give his fingerprints; all pictures in the camera were deleted.
3. Ungrounded limitation of access to information
January, 13
All media, Dushanbe
Tajik journalists are not satisfied with the quality of quarterly press conferences conducted by government institutions. (Farazh weekly, #2, 12.01.2011).
Zarina Khushvakht, correspondent of the BBC Persian service says that it is nice to attend quarterly press conferences, where one can get answers to questions; on the other hand, when an urgent response is needed, bureaucrats send the journalist to the forthcoming press conference, saying that “right now, they cannot share any information”.
“All press conferences are conducted in accordance with established standard – officials spend 30-40 minutes telling the audience about their work”, — says Nazarali Pirnazarov, correspondent of CA-News. — “Some officials go beyond the limits of decency saying rude things; others restrain from comments as if they do not have their own opinion”.
Abduazim Abduvakhobov, correspondent of Imruz News says that a lot depends on the journalists’ talents and skills.
4. Impediments in dissemination of printing products
January 27
All media, Dushanbe)
The Asia Plus weekly published complaints from street vendors selling newspapers. (#07, 26.02.2011).
Street vendors say that the police push them away from public places where they usually sell newspapers saying that it is allowed to sell media products only in the newsstands (kiosks).
The mayor’s office press secretary Shavkat Saidov told the media that the police are acting on the basis of the city administration’s errand.
The mayor’s office instruction is quite controversial. On the one hand, selling of printing products in “inappropriate places” is prohibited; on the other hand, the officials say that nobody banned street vendors from selling newspapers.
III. CONFLICTS. VIOLATIONS INCRIMINATED TO MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS
1. Protection of honor, dignity and business reputation
January, 24
First TV Channel, Dushanbe
The mayor’s office in Dushanbe accused the journalists of the First State TV Channel of lack of professionalism and preconception.
According to Shavkat Saidov, the city administration’s press secretary, the complaint is caused by a series of TV stories about preparation of municipal communal services to the winter season.
January, 27
Asia Plus weekly, Dushanbe
The Union of Journalists of Tajikistan (UJT) and the Tajik National Association of Mass Media (NANSMIT) express their concern in relation to persecution of journalists who use their right to expression, which contradicts the standards of the national and international law.
On 26 January 2011, the Asia Plus weekly published a legal notice of claim by the head of the Organized Crime Control Unit of the Tajik Interior Ministry Anvar Tagoimurodov, who states that the newspaper has disseminated slanderous information thus affecting the reputation of the law enforcement agency. The official demands a compensation from Asia Plus in the amount of 1 million Somoni (about $225 thousand).
The reason for the claim was an article y Ramziya irzobekova “Investigation or inquisition?” published in Asia Plus on 21.12.2010. The article contained information about tortures against persons on remand in the law enforcement units of Sughd province.
Tagoimurodov states that “correspondents write their stories based on quotes of people who are biased, and these stories are slandering and insulting”. He also alleged in his statement that Mirzobekova and other journalists who were covering the terrorist attack in Khujand (in September 2010) “personally knew those who committed the attack; and they were aware of the criminals’ evil intentions, and, probably, had relations with them”.
He editor of Asia Plus Marat Mamadshoev called this statement of the law enforcement official accusing journalists of helping terrorists “outrageous”. Ramziya Mirzobekova has been repeatedly invited to the Prosecutor General’s office – allegedly for clarification of facts in her article; however, the officials are not really interested in lerning about the sources of information. The correspondent is incriminated in committing grave crimes; but she is not allowed to apply to a lawyer. This is a violation of the legislation; namely, the clauses prohibiting the disclosure of names and sources of information.
According to Article 19 of the International Pact on Human and Political Rights, which Tajikistan signed in 1999, citizens are guaranteed their right to freedom of expression, including the right to seek for and disseminate any information or ideas, regardless of the state boundaries – verbally or in written form, by means of printing or in artistic forms.
According to Article 30 of Tajikistan’s Constitution, citizens are guaranteed the freedom of speech, printing and the use of mass media; the state censorship and persecutions are prohibited.
The growing number of persecutions of journalists in Tajikistan and the court cases prove that the final goal of the complainants is not to “rectify mistakes”, but to shut down journalists. The pressure upon Tajikistan’s independent media might lead to serious restrictions of the freedom of speech in self-censorship, which has a negative impact on the image of Tajikistan in the international arena.
UJT and NANSMIT call the Prosecutor General’s office and other law enforcement bodies on investigating this case in order to stop any violations of constitutional rights in the country, in particular, the right to expression and access to information.
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