Freedom of Speech in Tajikistan
November 2012
In November 2012, the Monitoring Service received 18 reports. Ten of them describe the factual situation in the media in the light of social, legal and political environment; six 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 ENVIRONMENT DEFINING THE FACTUAL SITUATION IN THE MEDIA
1. Statements of public officials defining the factual status of the mass media
1 November
Emomali Rakhmon, president of Tajikistan, Dushanbe
According to the president’s office press service, the president of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon relieved a number of public servants from their duties. Among them are the deputy head of the government broadcasting committee, editors of the newspapers Narodnaya Gazeta, and Khalk Ovozi, and two deputy directors of the Safina TV. In the president’s dismissal list are also the editor of Jumkhuriat weekly and the editor of the magazine Bonuvoni Tojikiston.
10 November
Emomali Rakhmon, president of Tajikistan, Dushanbe
At a ceremony on the occasion of the National Police Day, the president of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon noted that “certain extremist groups widely use modern information and communication technologies, including the Internet to disseminate ideas of violence and terrorism, especially among young people”.
In this regard, the president gave an errand to the Tajik Ministry of Interior and other relevant government agencies to create a special unit under the Ministry to counter information crimes. The Interior Ministry is asked to present its proposals on this issue to the government.
2. Public speeches, statements of public officials defining the situation in the media environment
10 November
Emomali Rakhmon, president of Tajikistan, Dushanbe
Speaking at a ceremony on the occasion of the National Police Day, the president of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon touched upon the issues of information and communication technologies in all spheres of socio-economic life. Along with other challenges, the president mentioned the Internet terrorism and cyber crimes. “Modern technologies can be used by criminals pursuing their destructive goals”, — said Rakhmon.
3. Factual situation in the media and the freedom of speech
1 November
TV Poytakht, Dushanbe
On 1 November, TV Poytakht, which founder is the mayor’s office in Dushanbe, started broadcasting in the mode of 24×7.
According to Abdukodiri Abdukahor, director of TV Poytakht, the TV station covers 2 million of residents – in the capital and its suburbs. The director is soliciting support of the mayor in getting funds to increase the number of personnel at the TV station up to 50 specialists. Paytakht also plans to increase the number of news programs and diversify its broadcasting. Special attention will be paid to the quality of produced materials.
16 November
Farazh weekly, Dushanbe
The Farazh weekly published an article indicated problems among the Tajik printing media – the problems are caused by the newly adopted Tax Code. (“Who will benefit from the bankruptcy of the printing media?”, #46, 14.112012).
“Private newspapers cannot afford paying eight types of taxes – it implies bankruptcy”, — says the article. The authors say that the authorities deliberately destroy the independent media creating big tax burden.
4. Journalists and the media protecting their professional and civil rights
11 November
All media
Editors of many Tajik non-state media and leaders of media organizations and legal associations created a Committee to protect professional rights of journalists.
The new entity called Committee – 29 September is created with the purpose of developing a strategy for the Tajik media community to protect the freedom of creative activities and better coordination of efforts in the media environment.
The Committee is open for new members – the media, public and human rights organizations.
19 November
All media, Kurgan-Tube
On 16-17 November, the Tajik National Association of Independent Mass Media held a seminar “Improving efficiency of cooperation between the media and government press services”. The event held in Kurgan-Tube, the administrative center of Khatlon province was supported by local government’s press service.
More than 20 journalists and press secretaries took part in the seminar. Participants learned about standards and best practices of organizing press conferences and efficient methodologies strengthening communication between government press services and journalists.
Participants suggested to organize similar events for all state managers and heads of public agencies.
19 November
All media, Dushanbe
On 19 November, Nuriddin Karshiboev, chairman of the Tajik National Association of Independent Mass Mediatold the TJinform news agency that representatives of the government press services intend to create their own professional association.
Representatives of the state press services were inspired by the seminar “Improving efficiency of cooperation between the media and government press services” held in Khatlon province by NANSMIT.
For the time being, a steering committee is created comprising representatives of press services of the foreign ministry, the ministry of education, the ministry of health, the border protection committee, and the women’s committee under the government.
20 November
All media, Dushanbe
The British Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) held a training for radio journalists on computer audio editing.
Shahodat Saibnazarova, correspondent of IWPR told NANSMIT that the organizers have held classes on technical skills of working with the software Adobe Audition. The main purpose of the training is to give radio journalists skills of editing, such as noise reduction, mixing, etc.
24 November
All media, Dushanbe
On 24 November, the Tajik National University hosted a scientific-practical conference “Challenges for the media in the years of state independence”.
Scholars and media professionals discussed and analyzed topical issues of contemporary journalism, modernization of education, training of skilled specialists, etc.
The faculty of journalism at the National University has been holding such conferences annually since 1992. This conference was attended by 70 participants – professors, journalists and media managers. More than 20 reports and works presented at the conference will be published in one book.
II. VIOLATION OF RIGHTS IN THE MEDIA
1. Limitation of access to web resources
9 November
Asia Plus weekly, Dushanbe
The Asia Plus weekly published an article (#84, 8 November 2012) analyzing an initiative of the government communication service. The agency in question intends to create a “unified IP monitoring center”. In the essence, the government communication agency suggests to introduce a system of total surveillance and control and to monopolize the communication sector.
This “initiative” is not something brand new – the government communication service has been trying to promote its idea for a few years, but the authorities declined the proposals, analyzing critical remarks of independent communication experts.
26 November
All media
A number of Internet providers in Tajikistan have blocked access to the popular social network Facebook. The providers received a verbal errand from the government communication service, which does not provide any explanation about the reasons. The media cannot receive any comments from the communication agency.
Certain Internet providers are reluctant to block access to Facebook waiting for explanations and further instructions from the authorities.
26 November
Communication service, Dushanbe
On 26 November, Internet providers in Tajikistan blocked access to the social network Facebook.
Asomuddin Atoev, chairman of the Tajik National Association of Internet Providers told Radio Ozodi (Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty) that the local companies had received an order from the government Communication Service “to limit access” to Facebook. The government agency did not provide any explanations about the reasons of its order.
Atoev also said that on 26 November, certain Internet providers already blocked access to the social network, and others were going to do the same. Subscribers of the Babylon M and the Biline companies also confirmed to Radio Ozodi that they have no access to Facebook.
It is “remarkable” that this time, the blocking of access to the Internet is “dedicated” to the World Information Day (it has been celebrated around the World since 1994, following the initiative of the International Informatization Academy, which has a status of consultant at the Economic and Social Councils under the United Nations, and the World Information Sociological Parliament.
27 November
Beg Zukhurov, head of the government Communication Service, Dushanbe
Head of the Communication Service under the Tajik government told the media that he is looking forward to have a personal meeting with Mark Zuckerman, the founder of Facebook. Beg Zukhurov said that he is willing “to discuss the order of work of the social network”, as well as possibilities to control critical remarks addressed to Tajik public officials and entrepreneurs.
Zukhurov also stated that his agency has received a number of complaints from Tajik citizens who are “indignant about slanderous publications and remarks targeted against certain government officials”.
Zukhurov was quoted by BBC as saying the following, “Does Facebook have the owner? Can he come to Tajikistan? If he has no time, I am ready to have a meeting with his assistants”.
2. Impediments to professional activities
24 November
Daler Sharipov, freelance journalist, Kumsangir district, Khatlon province
On 22 November, officers of the National Security Committee in Kumsangir district held an interrogation of Daler Sharipov, a young journalist and the founder of unregistered non-governmental organization Kadam ba Kadam.
Sharipov told Radio Ozodi (Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty) in a brief telephone conversation that he was detained by the officers, after which he was delivered to the office and left there for one hour without any explanations.
In a telephone conversation with Radio Ozodi, the National Security officer explained that Daler Sharipov and his friend Rajabali Kalandarov performed a video shooting at the funeral ceremony of a local spiritual leader Domullo Mukhammadi Kumsangiri. The two citizens were invited for a conversation “to find out more about their intentions”. The officer told Radio Ozodi that the young people were released after the conversation and the “measures were undertaken to ensure security in the border area”. (the district borders on Afghanistan).
Daler Sharipov is a former correspondent of Safina TV and the leader of the unregistered NGO is also known as the author and the host of the popular TV talk show Muoshirat.
2. Ungrounded limitation of access to information
22 November
The SSSR weekly, Dushanbe
Sayofi Mizrob, chief editor of the SSSR weekly published an article speculating on the Tajik president’s errands and decrees – those initially targeted to supporting freedom of the media and expression (#47, 22.11.2012).
In February 2009, Emomali Rakhmon endorsed the Decree #622 obliging ministers and heads of government agencies to provide timely feedback on publications in the media criticizing the work of the government bodies and administrations at all levels.
The author says in his article that initially, the officials properly reacted on criticism in the media. However, this initiative was gradually forgotten, and the public servants ignore the president’s errand.
III. CONFLICTS, VIOLATIONS, ACCUSATIONS AGAINST JOURNALISTS AND THE MEDIA
1. Demand on refutation of information
14 November
Jahonoro TV, Chkalovsk, Sughd province
Managers of the private TV company Jahonoro in the city of Chkalovsk, Sughd province, applied to the court demanding to dismiss the case against the TV station.
In September 2012, the Sughd province court initiated civil proceedings against the director of Jahonoro TV Makhmudjon Dadoboev (Article 373 of the Tajik Administrative Code). As a result, the director had to resign.
19 November
Muhabbat Juraeva, lawyer of TV Jahonoro, Khujand, Sughd province
The lawyer of TV Jahonoro Muhabbat Juraeva appealed the case initiated by the prosecutor’s office in Sughd province against Mohira Vokhidova, the editor of the TV company in question. The lawyer told the media that the case was initiated groundlessly.
Earlier this year, in a news program, TV Jahonoro quoted information about an accident at a marketplace in Dushanbe. The information was taken from the web site tojnews.tj, which is legal – according to Article 36 of the Tajik Law on Television and Radio Broadcasting, any information received from news agencies can be used by the media if they indicate the source of information. The medium is released from responsibility if the information proved to be unreliable or questionable.