Owners of independent Tajik newspapers are complaining that a new ban on selling newspapers on the streets of Dushanbe is hurting sales, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reports.

Zafar Sufi, the owner and chief editor of the weekly newspaper «Ozodagon,» told RFE/RL on February 23 that most people buy newspapers on their way to work or when they walk in the city center, and the ban curbs those purchases.

Sufi said that when the Dushanbe municipal administration banned street sales of newspapers, sellers had to build new booths. But most newspaper sellers can’t afford to buy the booths and, as a result, newspapers are incurring financial losses because of lower street sales.

Shavkat Saidov, a spokesman for the Dushanbe mayor, said on February 23 that the ban on street sales does not apply only to newspapers. He said the new regulations prohibit placing any item for sale on the ground, whether newspapers or food products.

Saidov said vendors should keep newspapers in their bags or sell them from booths. He added that it is even permissible to sell newspapers on public transport if the newspapers are kept in bags.

The head of the Union of Journalists of Tajikistan, Akabar Sattor, told RFE/RL that police sometimes abuse their authority when seeking to prevent the sale of merchandise on the streets.

Other observers see the ban on street sales of newspapers as part of a broader political campaign against the independent press.

They say other methods being used by authorities are court cases against many independent publications and the raising of VAT on January 1 from 4 percent to 18 percent. They say this trend by the government threatens the freedom of information.

http://www.rferl.org/content/tajik_newspapers/2320399.html

The EU Heads of Mission strongly condemn the attack on Hikmatullo Saifullozoda, Chief Editor of Najot newspaper, and a member of the political council of the Islamic Rebirth Party of Tajikistan (IRPT).

The EU Heads of Mission consider this unprovoked and violent attack on Mr Saifullozoda an act of intimidation aimed against individual rights to freedom of political and media expression. The European Union firmly believes that individuals should not be subject to harassment or attack due to their political views, religious beliefs or as a result of views they have expressed in the media.

The EU Heads of Mission urge the authorities to undertake a full investigation into this attack, and make every effort to apprehend and prosecute those responsible.

For further information you may contact Ms. Mahbuba Abdullaeva in the Delegation of the European Union in Tajikistan at tel: +992 (37) 2217407 or e-mail: Mahbuba.Abdullaeva@eeas.europa.eu

Press Communiqué

Freedom of Speech in Tajikistan in 2010

Dushanbe, 14 February 2011

The Tajik National Association of Independent Mass Media (NANSMIT) summarized the monitoring data in the area of the freedom of speech in Tajikistan in 2010. During the reporting period, the Association registered 248 reports reflecting activities of the media and journalists in Tajikistan. Out of these reports, 138 describe the factual situation in the media in terms of social, legal and political aspects; 58 inform about direct violations of rights among journalists and the media; and 52 inform about conflicts and accusations against the media and journalists.

The issues of access to information and claims on protection of honor and dignity remain relevant for the Tajik media. In 2010, NANSMIT monitoring service registered 32 cases of limited access to information and 42 cases on protection of honor and dignity.

In 2010, the Tajik courts investigated 9 cases involving journalists and the media. The most juicy scandal was the lawsuit of three judges of the Supreme Court and the Dushanbe City Court against the three Tajik periodicals – Asia Plus, Ozodagon, and Farazh. It was related to the so called “Isfara Case”, which raised a big feedback in the society. In November 2010, the Tajik law enforcement authorities arrested a correspondent of the Nuri Zindagi weekly, Makhmadyusuf Ismoilov. This case is related to the journalist’s professional activities, and it is seen as an unprecedented in the history of the Tajik journalism.

On 16 June 2010, the Ismoili Somoni District Court in Dushanbe opened its first session on the case of Zarina Abdulvokhidova, a correspondent of the Ovozi Tojik Radio. The case concerned the journalist’s demotion in the office and a moral compensation. On 18 June, the court ruled in favor of the journalist ordering to reinstate her in the previous position. The court also obliged the TV & Radio Committee to reimburse her a particular amount for the illegal demotion. That was the first successful case when a media professional managed to protect his/her rights.

The case of the Paykon weekly was investigated in cassational procedure in the Dushanbe City Court; however, the result was unfavorable for the newspaper. The two cases – against the Asia Plus weekly and the Sughd weekly finished in favor of the newspapers.

In May 2010, the chief editor of the Tojikiston weekly Sharifi Khamdampur was arrested by the police in Ainy district. Allegedly, the reason for the incident was the journalist’s photo shooting at the Varzob district road tolling plaza.

Amendments and changes in the Tajik media legislation developed by the Tajik parliamentarians Olim Salimzod and Akramsho Felaliev are approved by the government and sent to the parliament for further consideration. In this regard, Tajik journalists got involved in the process of discussion of the draft law in order to use their chance to improve the media legislation and environment.

The first daily newspaper – Imruz News – came out off press on 30 August. Since the early 1990-s, there have not been any daily papers; after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the beginning of the civil war in Tajikistan the newspapers became weeklies, and many of them ceased to exist at all.

The forth quarter of 2010 signalized new concerns in the Tajik media: limited access to information, blocking of access to online resources, pressure on private newspapers, and the refusal of printing facilities to provide their services to the weeklies Farazh, Paykon, and Nigokh.

On 27 September 2010, heads of the Tajik independent mass media and media organizations issued a statement condemning the actions of the Ministry of Defense discrediting the private media. They expressed concern over a TV program produced by the Ministry’s press center regarding the events in Rasht valley, where the non-state media were accused of disseminating “provocative materials”. In response to that statement, the Minister, General Khairullaev accused the media of assisting terrorists.

On 29 September, deputy Minister of Transport and Communications, Bek Zukhurov ordered the main Tajik Internet service providers to block access to several online resources, namely, Avesta.tj, Tjknews.com, Centrasia.ru и Ferghana.ru. In response to the limitation of the freedom of speech, chief editors of a number of the Tajik non-state media and heads of media organizations created the Committee to Protect Professional Rights and called it “The 29 September Committee”. It was created with the purpose of developing a strategy for the Tajik media community, rehabilitation of the rights of media professionals and coordination of activities targeted to stabilizing the media environment.

“The analysis of the freedom of speech in Tajikistan shows that violations of rights among journalists remain latent since the sources, in view of subjective reasons, are reluctant to share information on that, — said Nuriddin Karshibaev, chairman of NANSMIT. — However, the collected data enables experts to make their objective conclusions about both positive and negative developments in the Tajik media environment in 2010”.

For additional information, you can approach Mr. Abdufattokh Vokhidov, coordinator of NANSMIT monitoring service: 34 Khuseinzoda St., Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Tel/fax: (992 37) 221-37-11, 223-09-68; e-mail: coordinator@nansmit.tj

www.nansmit.tj

February 15, 2011

George Washington University

Washington, D.C.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you all very much and good afternoon. It is a pleasure, once again, to be back on the campus of the George Washington University, a place that I have spent quite a bit of time in all different settings over the last now nearly 20 years. I’d like especially to thank President Knapp and Provost Lerman, because this is a great opportunity for me to address such a significant issue, and one which deserves the attention of citizens, governments, and I know is drawing that attention. And perhaps today in my remarks, we can begin a much more vigorous debate that will respond to the needs that we have been watching in real time on our television sets.

A few minutes after midnight on January 28th, the internet went dark across Egypt. During the previous four days, hundreds of thousands of Egyptians had marched to demand a new government. And the world, on TVs, laptops, cell phones, and smart phones, had followed every single step. Pictures and videos from Egypt flooded the web. On Facebook and Twitter, journalists posted on-the-spot reports. Protestors coordinated their next moves. And citizens of all stripes shared their hopes and fears about this pivotal moment in the history of their country.

Millions worldwide answered in real time, “You are not alone and we are with you.” Then the government pulled the plug. Cell phone service was cut off, TV satellite signals were jammed, and internet access was blocked for nearly the entire population. The government did not want the people to communicate with each other and it did not want the press to communicate with the public. It certainly did not want the world to watch.

Read full text on [url=America.gov: http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2011/February/20110215155718su0.3556896.html#]America.gov: http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2011/February/20110215155718su0.3556896.html#[/url]

Dushanbe, 16 February 2011 – The EU Heads of Mission strongly condemn the attack on Hikmatullo Saifullozoda, Chief Editor of Najot newspaper, and a member of the political council of the Islamic Rebirth Party of Tajikistan (IRPT).

The EU Heads of Mission consider this unprovoked and violent attack on Mr Saifullozoda an act of intimidation aimed against individual rights to freedom of political and media expression. The European Union firmly believes that individuals should not be subject to harassment or attack due to their political views, religious beliefs or as a result of views they have expressed in the media.

The EU Heads of Mission urge the authorities to undertake a full investigation into this attack, and make every effort to apprehend and prosecute those responsible.

For further information you may contact Ms. Mahbuba Abdullaeva in the Delegation of the European Union in Tajikistan at tel: +992 (37) 2217407 or e-mail: Mahbuba.Abdullaeva@eeas.europa.eu

EC Office in Dushanbe

The European Union (EU) aims to redefine its development policy by the end of 2011. DW-AKADEMIE is actively following this process and has initiated a commentary on media and development.

Effectively and economically supporting developing countries so that they can sustainably improve people’s living conditions – this is to be the goal of Europe’s future development policy. A DW-AKADEMIE commentary regarding the EU’s Green Paper on development policy states the role the media can play in this process. DW-AKADEMIE’s contribution to the debate has been signed by other European media development institutions including the BBC World Service Trust, the International Institute for Journalism (IIJ), the Swedish Fojo Media Institute and the Radio Netherlands Training Centre (RNTC). With its Green Paper on development policy, the EU has initiated a consultation process at the European level. Involved in the debate are stakeholders from the fields of politics and civil society.

“Free and independent media have a positive effect on many areas and can support development processes as well as critically accompany them,” says Patrick Leusch, head of DW-AKADEMIE’s Project Development division and author of the commentary. “The future direction of EU development policy focuses on economic growth that creates jobs; on the effective use of funds; on the rule of law and good governance. In all these areas free and independent media are the most important social control factor.” That’s why, says Leusch, media development must be part of a sustainable European development policy.

The DW-AKADEMIE commentary on media and sustainable development will now be published by the EU and become part of the on-going discussion. A White Paper on the new strategic focus of EU development policy is to be released at the end of 2011. DW-AKADEMIE will continue to actively follow its formation.

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,6432814,00.html?maca=en-newsletter_en_DW-AKADEMIE-4842-html-nl

Date:01/08/11 — 06/08/11
Deadline:31/03/11
Transitions Online
Cost:1,125.00 USD
Location:PragueCzech RepublicJournalists and students interested in photojournalism can attend a course in Prague.

The Photojournalism Course, offered by Transitions Online, aims to provide an introduction to taking, editing and selling photographs. It will focus on both classroom training sessions and practical shooting and editing sessions. Sample topics include lighting, post-production and multimedia presentations.

The course will be led by Dean Cox, a freelance photojournalist who has sold his work to the Associated Press, the New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, EurasiaNet and Bloomberg News.

Students are required to bring their own cameras, but organizers say «it doesn’t matter if it’s the cheapest camera on the market or a top-of-the range Canon or Nikon.» The course will be conducted in English. The course fee includes accommodation, but not travel costs.

Apply by March 31, 2011 for an early-bird discount, ?845 (US$1,125).

For more information: http://www.tol.org/client/training/course/21735-photojournalism-august-2011.html

http://www.tol.org/client/training/course/21735-photojournalism-august-2011.html

Date:24/07/11 — 01/08/11
Deadline:31/03/11
Transitions Online
Cost:1,395.00 USD
Location:PragueCzech RepublicJournalists and students interested in international reporting can attend a course in Prague.

The Foreign Correspondent Training Course, offered by Transitions Online, aims to provide an introduction to international reporting, through training by respected foreign correspondents and a practical reporting project.

Sample topics include pitching to editors, adapting to multimedia and breaking into the field. The course will allow participants to apply their new skills to a real-life reporting assignment. Confirmed trainers include BBC’s Rob Cameron, freelance photojournalist Dean Cox and Nikolay Pavlov from Radio Free Europe RFE .

The course will be conducted in English. The course fee includes accommodation, but not travel costs.

Applications must be received by March 31, 2011 to get the early-bird discount. For more information, click here.
.Topic: Specialized Reporting

https://ijnet.org/opportunities/foreign-correspondent-course-offered-prague

Deadline:25/02/11
Transitions Online (TOL)

Transitions Online (TOL), a Prague-based international publishing and media development organization, is currently offering a distance course, focused on religion coverage designed for journalists and bloggers.

The course on Religion and the Media was developed by TOL, specifically for the region of Central Asia. It aims to develop critical thinking, speaking, reading and writing skills of journalists.

Applications will be accepted from media professionals and citizen journalists from Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan). Citizens of those countries who currently resident elsewhere are also invited to apply.

Participation for the five-week course is free of charge and the working language is Russian. Participants who successfully finish the course will be awarded a TOL certificate. Those with the highest grades will be eligible for fully-funded scholarships at TOL journalism training courses in Prague.

In addition, successful participants will be offered an opportunity to become paid contributors on Central Asian issues to TOL’s award-winning Internet magazine http://www.tol.org. This project is funded by The National Endowment for Democracy.

For more information (in Russian), click here. To apply, contact with a resume and cover letter to Larisa Balanovskaya at larisa.balanovskaya@tol.org.
.Topic: Specialized Reporting

https://ijnet.org/opportunities/distance-learning-course-religion-journalists-media-professionals-an

DUSHANBE — A court in Dushanbe has begun hearing a lawsuit by a regional Interior Ministry official against the opposition weekly «Asia Plus,» but threw out a counterclaim filed by the paper against the same official, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reports.

Both cases concern an article published by «Asia Plus» on December 21 that accused Interior Ministry officials, including officers of the directorate against organized crimes in Sughd Province, of torturing suspects.

Anvar Taghoymurodov, head of that directorate, is demanding 1 million somonis ($227,128) in damages.

«Asia Plus» chief editor Marat Mamadshoev filed a counterclaim against Taghoymurodov for 150,000 somonis in damages. He told RFE/RL that Taghoymurodov’s suit could damage the weekly’s reputation.

Nusratullo Asadullo, the presiding judge at Dushanbe’s Firdawsi district court, said Mamadshoev failed to produce any official documentation to prove he is empowered to take legal action on behalf of «Asia Plus.»

Taghoymurodov’s lawyer, Jamshed Ghiyosos, said Umed Babakhanov, the owner of «Asia Plus,» should appear in court to defend the paper’s reputation. Babakhanov is currently resident in the United States, where his children are studying.

The next hearing is scheduled for February 24. Lawyer Shuhrat Qudratov, representing «Asia Plus,» said he is sure that at the next session the court will agree to hear the paper’s claim.

Tajik experts say this is the first time a court is hearing a case related to torture and violence against suspects. «Asia Plus» says it has written evidence to substantiate its accusations. But experts said that no court has ever given credence to such accusations.

Nargis Zokirova, an expert from the Human Rights Organization of Tajikistan, said it is difficult to speak about torture because it is almost impossible to inspect detention centers and prisons. She added that the authorities do not permit any domestic or international human rights organizations to visit suspects in detention centers.

Tajik experts say that all previous proven cases of torture were reclassified as abuse of power, and suspected torturers were tried for abuse of power, not for torture.

http://www.rferl.org/content/tajikistan_opposition_weekly_lawsuit/2309604.html