U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Office of the Spokesman

May 25, 2011

MEDIA NOTE

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

On June 1 the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) will launch a new J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program website.

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is a work and study exchange program created to further mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries. More than 350,000 J-1 visa visitors come to the United States each year, including high school and university students, researchers, physicians, and summer work travelers.

The new site (http://j1visa.state.gov) will greatly improve the online application experience. Everything potential applicants need to know, from how to participate in a program to what the program is like can be found on the new site.

The look and navigation of the new site reflects state-of-the-art web design and plain-language instructions on how to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program. The site features descriptions of each Exchange Visitor program category, so that individuals can find which category is right for them, and testimonials from exchange participants. The site also provides clear instructions on how to apply. Videos and interactive content have been developed to extend the site’s reach into social media. It will give users a faster, easier, and more efficient web experience.

The site is designed to perform well in either low or high bandwidth environments. The site also features an interactive map of the United States for individuals interested in finding out, state by state, how many participants and sponsors are involved in the Exchange Visitor Program.

The new site reflects the Department of State’s commitment to a revitalized Web presence that connects international audiences with the information they need to take part in valuable cultural exchanges, and is the first step in a comprehensive re-design of ECA’s web presence aimed at organizing websites according to how users access ECA information. ECA’s existing J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program website receives the highest volume of user traffic and represents the most popular search item on the ECA website.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/iipdigital-en/index.html)

http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/iipdigital-en/index.html)

In May 2011, the NANSMIT Monitoring Service received 18 reports. Eight of them describe the factual situation in the media in the light of socio-legal and political environment; three reports describe direct violations of rights of media professionals, and seven 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

16 May
Shavkat Saidov, press secretary, mayor’s office, Dushanbe
Shavkat Saidov, the mayor’s office press secretary sent a letter to all private media outlets and web portals thanking their editors and staff for timely and objective coverage of relevant public issues in the capital. (Millat weekly, 14 May 2011)

However, the press secretary is concerned about certain remarks and accusations left by users in web sites’ forums addressed to the city administration, especially with regard to consumption market in Dushanbe.

2. Factual situation in the media and the freedom of speech

13 May
Amnesty International
In the report published on 13 May, Amnesty International raised concern about a number of reports related to tortures and inhuman treatment of detainees by Tajik law enforcement officers.

The report also indicates that in 2010, there was a stable trend of persecution of journalists working for private media for their publications criticizing the government.

“The pressure on the media increased on the eve of the parliamentary elections in February, and after the September clashes between the government military and islamist gangs in Rasht valley where 28 Tajik army soldiers were killed”, — says the report.

The report also says that the newspapers Ozodagon, Millat, Asia Plus, Nigoh, Farazh and Paykon spent a lot of time in courts; certain cases are still pending.

18 May
The Paykon weekly, Dushanbe
The Nigoh weekly (#9, 18 May 2011) reported that the Sharki Ozod printing house refused to print the newspaper Paykon.

According to Fazliddin Khojaev, editor of Paykon, his newspaper owes the Sharki Ozod printing house an amount of 7 thousand Somoni. Last month, following a court verdict, the state unitary enterprise Tajikstandard confiscated the newspaper’s equipment, which affected its normal work mode.

Khojaev also said that he approached other printing facilities, but all of them, referring to the court resolution – on the liquidation of the newspaper’s founder (the Bureau on Linguistic Expertise and Media Investigations) – refused to publish Paykon.

3. Amendments to the legislation having a negative impact on the media environment

24 May
All media, Dushanbe
Journalists and media experts, participants of the round table “Contemporary journalism – problems of the Tajik media” held in Dushanbe on 3 May approached the Tajik parliament with a set of proposals regarding the draft law on mass media.

The participants suggested to reconsider certain provisions in the draft law, which might have a negative impact on the national media environment. Along with that, it is suggested to conduct parliamentary hearings on the law jointly with media professionals and legal experts.

II. VIOLATION OF PROFESSIONAL RIGHTS

1. Ungrounded limitation of access to information

5 May
TojNews web site, Dushanbe
Abuali Nekruzov, correspondent of the Tajik news web portal applied to the Interior Ministry’s press center to receive information about the assassination of three Tajik labor migrants in Moscow.

The press center’s officer referred the correspondent to the State Migration Service, explaining that this government agency is in charge of all issues related to labor migration.

The correspondent approached the State Migration Service, but received no answer – because this newly established agency is not completely staffed. The correspondent was referred to the Ministry of Interior.

17 May
Mehrangez Tursunzoda, BBC, freelance correspondent, Dushanbe
Mehangez Tursunzoda, freelance correspondent of BBC was working on a story about the increased number of vehicles with tinted glasses in Tajikistan.

According to the Tajik legislation, owners of such cars must pay special duties for having tinted glasses. The collected fees are to be used for construction of the Roghun hydropower plant, which the government sees as priority to ensure the nation’s energy security.

More than 5 thousand private drivers received permission for tinted glasses during the first five months of 2011. The journalist approached a number of government agencies, which must have the data on the collected amounts. However, none of them were willing to share this information referring to “state secrecy” and “business confidentiality”.

III. CONFLICTS, VIOLATIONS INCRIMINATED TO MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS

1. Violation of the order of registration of public organizations

6 May
The bureau of consultations, linguistic expertise and journalist investigations, Dushanbe
The bureau of consultations, linguistic expertise and journalist investigations is liquidated according to the verdict of the Firdavsi district court in Dushanbe. The bureau was the founder of the Paykon weekly.

The bureau’s lawyer Shukhrat Kudratov told the media that the court started the hearings on the case initiated by the Ministry of justice against the bureau. The Ministry states that the public organization is not registered in the tax police; it does not present its annual report; and it has changed its judicial address.

The Tajik journalist Juma Tolib says that the closure of the bureau is related to publications criticizing the authorities.

2. Protection of honor, dignity and business reputation

6 May
Ozodagon, Farazh, Asia Plus
The Sino district court in Dushanbe stopped the investigation of the civil case initiated by three judges of the Tajik Supreme Court and a judge of the Dushanbe city Court against the lawyer Solijon Juraev and the weeklies Farazh, Ozodagon and Asia Plus.

The complainants relinquished the action.

18 May
Sharifa Khamdamova, director general, Oila LTD., Dushanbe
On 18 May, the Firdavsi district court in Dushanbe held hearings on the civil complaint by a Russian journalist Lilia Dityatkina (Butko) against Sharif Khamdamov, director general of Oila LTD.

In her statement, the journalist says that she is not the author of the publication titled “Who is the real stage director of Karomat Sharipov’s illegal activities?” The article was published on the web site Pressa.tj. The Russian journalist states that the information in that article defames her and requires refutation.

On 31 January 2011, the Crime Info weekly published the article in question; on 3 February, the article appeared on Pressa.tj.

The author of this article discloses activities of the public organization “Tajik Labor Migrants” headed by Karomat Sharipov. The author also reveals facts of illegal entrepreneurial activities of Shartipov and his encirclement.

The defendant’s attorney Timur Kamolov told the media that those who republished the article bear no responsibility for the contents of the article. According to Articles 2 and 5 of the Tajik media law, neither the editor of Crime Info nor the editor of Pressa.tj committed unlawful actions.

3. Accusation of libel and insult

[b]31 May
Makhmadyusuf Ismoilov, Nuri Zindagi weekly, Asht district, Sughd province
On 31 May, the Asht district court started hearings on the case initiated by 12 public officials against the correspondent of the Nuri Zindagi weekly Makhmadyusuf Ismoilov.

According to an observer representing the NANSMIT monitoring service, the court listened to the parties and took a recess until 2 June.

Ismoilov is charged on four articles of the Tajik Criminal Code, including the accusations of libel, insult, instigation of national, ethnic and religious feud, as well as blackmailing. Although there is no proof to his guilt, Ismoilov has been under arrest for more than six month.

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

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Workshop “Youth in the 21st Century: Debating and Producing Media”

This is a regional series of workshops that will be held during the summer and early autumn of 2011 for young people throughout the world. These workshops teach youth to be effective producers of media information by equipping them to produce and package content towards creating a better society.

The purpose of Youth in the 21st Century: Debating and Producing Media is for youth to come together with others from their country and region to learn about issues within their society, debate them, and produce media projects about the relationship between media and society.

Participants will debate issues relating to how the media and youth do and should interact as well as what role this relationship plays in society at large. To provide a background for debates, participants will conduct research and have the chance to interact with local, regional and international experts in the journalism field. Finally, participants will improve their skills in actually producing new media by learning from instructors and making their own media projects.

Youth in the 21st Century: Debating and Producing Media is planning to hold a 12-day long camp this summer and is inviting young people aged 17 to 25 to be participants.

Dates: July 7th – July 20th, 2011

Venue: Talisman Village Hotel, Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan

Language of instruction: English (translation from English WILL NOT be provided)

We invite young people from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to apply.

All costs associated with participation in a workshop (travel, visa, accommodation and meals) will be covered by organizers.

Application forms (Word format) are available at http://www.scribd.com/doc/56013818

Completer applications must be sent to workshop4youth@gmail.com

Deadline for submission of applications: Sunday, June 12, 2011 by midnight.

Contact Information:

workshop4youth@gmail.com

http://www.scribd.com/doc/56013818

United States Mission to the OSCE

As delivered by Chargé d’Affaires, a. i. Carol Fuller

to the Permanent Council, Vienna

May 26, 2011

In February of this year, the United States addressed in the Permanent Council concerns over the state of media freedom in several OSCE participating states. Today, I would like to focus on a particular facet of freedom of the media that is being questioned by some participating States within the OSCE: freedom of expression via the Internet. All OSCE participating States have committed themselves to the exercise of all human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Helsinki Final Act. These same universal rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, extend into the Digital Age and we must protect their exercise via the Internet, social media and mobile phones.

As Secretary of State Clinton has said, the United States supports a free and open Internet whereby all Internet users are free to express themselves and have equal access to knowledge and ideas. Under the UN Universal Declaration and the Helsinki Final Act, all people have the right «to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.»

The Internet has provided a vast public space where users can access local and international news, academic publications, and political opinions; can communicate their own ideas and beliefs; and can form associations and movements. The free flow of information over the internet and action based on that information has become a cornerstone of civil society in the 21st century and an important source of political and cultural pluralism. We have witnessed time and again, particularly in the events in North Africa in recent months, how digital technologies enable individual citizens to organize and to demand better governance. The ability to exercise fundamental freedoms of expression, association and assembly over digital technologies can also improve the economic situation of individuals and states by helping to generate new ideas and encouraging creativity and entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, even within the OSCE, we all too frequently see laws and practices that stifle the free flow of information and the individual’s freedom of expression online in a manner that is inconsistent with international law.

We note the concerns stated by OSCE Representative on the Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic on May 17 over new internet restrictions that have been announced in Turkey. The government of Turkey plans to introduce a filtering system for Internet users that will not allow anyone to remain outside the system. It is also refusing to issue Internet domain names that contain 138 words like «sister-in-law» and «blond». While we understand these restrictions are allegedly designed to protect children from harmful content on the internet, RFOM Mijatovic correctly states that effectively banning words «in an attempt to eliminate undesirable content from the Internet cannot succeed.» Internet filtering may, in fact, facilitate the suppression of the freedom of expression more than restrictive national laws ever could.

Belarus has used multiple tactics to limit Internet freedom, such as restricting access to certain websites, the compulsory registration of domestic websites, and the collection of personal data of Internet users. The United States is also troubled by reports of Internet censorship in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan that restricts the online activities of the members of political opposition and some religious groups.

Several other OSCE states have taken steps to regulate content on the Internet through law. Content regulation on the Internet, for technical reasons, cannot mirror that of other forms of media. Thus, we all should be mindful that restrictions on freedom of expression over the internet are like all restrictions on freedom of expression and must be in accordance with international law, permitted in only the narrowest class of cases.

We have all agreed, most notably in PC Decision 633, that «Participating States should take action to ensure that the Internet remains an open and public forum for freedom of opinion and expression, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and to foster access to the Internet both in homes and in schools.» Efforts to erect electronic barriers to information networks, to expunge words, names, and phrases from search engine results, may contravene our commitments to the freedom of expression, which apply equally to the Internet. We urge all participating States to recognize the right of all individuals to freedom of expression on the Internet.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.

http://dushanbe.usembassy.gov/

Date:28/08/11 — 24/06/12
Deadline:15/06/11
International Academy of Journalism
Location:GermanySee map: Google Maps

Journalists interested in digital training can apply for a fellowship in Germany.

The Intajour Fellowship Programme, sponsored by the International Academy of Journalism, offers ten months of in-person and online classes around the theme “Journalism in the Digital World.” The program starts August, 2011.

Fellows will attend sessions in Hamburg, Cologne and Berlin and participate in lectures, practical group work and discussions. The online training phase of the program requires a commitment of seven hours per week.

The program is aimed at professional journalists from countries where there is a shortage of training of this kind. It will be conducted in English.

Fellows will receive a stipend to cover course fees, accommodation, meals and international travel costs.

For more information, click here:

http://www.intajour.com/bertelsmann_corp/wms41/intajour/index.php?ci=925&language=2

DUSHANBE — A prominent Tajik religious and political figure has criticized authorities for restricting access to his religious website, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reports.

Hoji Akbar Turajonzoda told RFE/RL today that restricting access to turajon.com is unconstitutional, because the website is not political.

The State Communications Service issued a directive, a copy of which was shown to journalists on May 19, ordering internet providers to restrict access to the site because of «a technical problem.» As of May 20, the website could only be accessed by using proxy servers.

The website was created by Turajonzoda and his brothers a year ago. Since then, it has had more than one million visits.

Turajonzoda is a former head of Tajikistan’s Muslims, a former deputy prime minister, and one of the former leaders of the Tajik Islamic movement. His brothers are also well known religious leaders

Turajon.com is devoted to Islamic issues. The Turajonzoda brothers use it to publish their views, and sometimes answer questions from site visitors about religious issues.

Several new books by Turajonzoda were recently posted to the site. Visitors can also listen to sermons by prominent Islamic leaders at Friday prayers.

During the military operation in Tajikistan’s eastern Rasht district last fall, authorities similarly restricted all communications with the eastern part of the country, citing «technical problems,»

The precise nature of these technical problems was never made public.

http://www.rferl.org/content/tajik_authorities_criticized_for_restricting_access_to_religious_websit

Journalists interested in furthering their studies on media and diversity can apply to a graduate program.

The University of Westminster and the Media Diversity Institute are launching a one-year Master’s program in Media and Diversity in September 2011.

The course is aimed at media professionals, students of journalism and media studies graduates who want to gain experience in intercultural communication or understanding and dealing with diversity in the media.

It is designed to equip students with the practical and theoretical skills needed to engage in responsible media coverage of diversity. Classes will be taught by experienced journalism academics as well as by practicing journalists from organizations such as the BBC.

The first course will start in September 2011 at the University of Westminster in central London. A limited number of bursaries will be available.

For more information, click here: http://www.westminster.ac.uk/schools/media/journalism/diversity-and-the-media-ma

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/masters-course-media-and-diversity-launches-uk

Date:03/10/11 — 07/10/11
Deadline:31/07/11
Gmedia Center
Location:GenevaSwitzerlandSee map: map.search.ch, Google Maps

Journalists interested in human rights can apply for a free workshop in Geneva.

The workshop, sponsored by Gmedia Center, aims to enhance and deepen journalists’ understanding of human rights principles and protection mechanisms.

It will be held in conjunction with the session of the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodical Review.

Qualified applications will receive grant sponsorship to attend the workshop. The grant includes tuition, airfare, accommodation and a daily allowance.

Journalists from Togo, Uganda, Thailand, Venezuela and Syria are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information, click here: http://gmediacenter.net/index.php?option=com_seminar&Itemid=9

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/grants-human-rights-workshop-offered-journalists-worldwide

DUSHANBE — Iran’s ambassador to Tajikistan says Tajik officials are responsible for the long delay of the launch of the Afghan-Iranian-Tajik television project, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reports.

In 2006, presidents Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, Mahmud Ahmadinejad of Iran, and Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan agreed to launch a joint Persian-speaking television channel called Navrooz-TV. The project has still not been implemented.

Talking to journalists in Dushanbe on May 19, Iranian Ambassador Ali Asghar Sherdust said the necessary equipment for Navrooz-TV was brought to the Tajik capital long ago.

Sherdust complained that Tajik officials responsible for the project are avoiding meetings and talks about the final steps needed to launch the joint television channel.

He also pointed out that the TV station’s Afghan partners similarly ignore the project and avoid any discussion of the matter.

Sherdust said Afghan Culture and Information Minister Makhdum Rahmin refused to take part in discussions regarding the project while he was visiting Tajikistan last week.

Sherdust added that according to the agreement about the TV station, Tajikistan was responsible for providing an appropriate building for Navrooz TV’s television broadcasting center, Iran was to provide all the necessary equipment and studios, while Afghanistan had promised to provide a satellite channel in Persian for the television station.

Many of the people in Afghanistan, Iran, and Tajikistan share cultural and linguistic similarities.

http://www.rferl.org/content/afghan_iran_tajik_tv_project/24180773.html

Deadline:27/06/11
Online News Association (ONA)

A competition seeks digital tools that have significantly enhanced online journalism.

The Online Journalism Awards, sponsored by the Online News Association, are open to websites and all digital platforms, including smart phones, e-readers and tablets, where journalists have originated content or selected and amplified it. Both individuals and organizations may enter.

Work must have been published between July 1, 2010 and June 15, 2011. There are 13 award categories available, including categories for students. To see a full list, click here.

Last year’s winners included CNN for breaking news on the Haiti earthquake and The New York Times for a multimedia report on the Taliban. To see a full list of winners, click here.

Eight awards come with a total of US$33,000 in prize money.

For more information, click here: http://journalists.org/?page=oja2011overview&utm_source=Online+News+Association+List&utm_campaign=c1f0fed841-OJA_call_for_entries_5_19_115_18_2011&utm_medium=email

http://ijnet.org/opportunities/online-journalism-competition-seeks-entries-worldwide