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Tajik journalists trying to create a Media Council

On 2 October the Tajik Union of Journalists hosted a discussion on creating an independent national Media Council. The meeting was held upon the initiative of the Union of Journalists, the Tajik National Association of Independent Media (NANSMIT), the Tajik National Association of Electronic Media (TAJANESMI), the Tajik Journalists’ Memorial Fund and a number of Tajik media under support of the OSCE Bureau in Dushanbe.

Chairman of NANSMIT Nuriddin Karshibaev stressed that an initiative group started working in May 2009. So far, the group developed and adopted the Ethical Standards for Tajik Journalists. “The next step is the creation of the Media Council – to protect the rights and ensure the freedoms of Tajik journalists. All necessary documents are already developed,” — said Karshibaev. The Council’s draft charter was designed by media experts who consulted experienced legal specialists.

Participants of the meeting came to the conclusion that the draft constituent documents for the Media Council should be published in local newspapers, and the final version must be adopted after wide discussions.
The final meeting of the task force will be held by the end of October.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

Freedom of Speech in Tajikistan September 2009

In September 2009 the NANSMIT Monitoring Service received 25 reports. Twenty of them describe the factual situation in the media in the light of socio-legal and political environment; two reports describe direct violations of rights of media professionals; and three 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

2 September
All media, Dushanbe

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon took part in the ceremony of commissioning of an apartment building. The new dwelling complex was built for employees of the State TV and Radio Committee under the Tajik government. Prior to the opening ceremony Rakhmon laid the first stone in the fundament of another dwelling complex.

23 September
All media, Dushanbe

“The footnote on the last page saying that “the newspaper bears no responsibility for publication” does not exempt the outlet from liability” – said Naim Amirbekov, chairman of the Tajik Lawyers’ Board at a meeting with the media. Amirbekov says that the responsibility can be only established by the court.

26 September
All media, Khatlon province

On 16 July at the session of parliamentarians of Khatlon province chairman of Khatlon Gaibulloi Avzal ordered his subordinates to allocate additional funds for city and district newspapers – so that they would be published on a weekly basis.

However, according to a blitz survey conducted by the NANSMIT monitoring service, among 14 out of 25 city and district newspapers in the province, administrations are reluctant to perform the order. Moreover, many editors and publishers are not even aware of that order.

Experts indicate that most of the newspapers in Khatlon are in “alarming condition”.

2. Evaluation of the factual status of the media and the freedom of speech

2 September
“Student.tj”, Dushanbe

The first issue of a newspaper for youth “Sudent.tj” was published on 31 August, on the eve of the Knowledge Day celebrated in schools and universities. The founder of the new printing outlet is the Charkhi Gardun commercial company.

Akbarali Sattor, director of Charkhi Gardun said that the new weekly will be published in Tajik and Russian languages. He also told the NANSMIT monitoring service that his company is planning to launch a special magazine for creative professionals “The world of music and cinema”.

7 September
Asia Plus Radio, Dushanbe

Radio Asia Plus, one of the first private radio companies in Tajikistan celebrated its seventh anniversary. Asia Plus launched its first broadcast on 9 September 2002.

Asia Plus is an information-entertaining FM radio station broadcasting in Tajik and Russian languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Dushanbe and its suburbs.

9 September
All media, Dushanbe

Several private printing outlets and a few radio companies are celebrating their anniversaries. Among them are Radio Asia Plus, the Bonuvoni Tojikiston magazine, and the SSSR weekly.

Many of the currently operating media had significant problems with licensing, and only due to efforts of the civil society and the international community they managed to succeed.

27 September
Ovozi Gonchi, district newspaper, Sughd province

Festivities on the occasion of the 80-s anniversary of Gonchi district in Sughd province and the 70-s anniversary of the Ovozi Gonchi (The Voice of Gonchi) took place on 27 September.

3. Journalists protecting their civil and professional rights

2 September
Faculty of the Tajik Philology and Journalism, Kulyab State University, Kulyab, Khatlon province

The faculty of Tajik language and literature in the Kulyab State University is transformed into the faculty of Tajik philology and journalism.

There are 19 newly enrolled students, out of whom more than 70 percent are girls. The university administration hired several new professors, and, in it is planned to involve experienced media professionals for both curricular and extracurricular activities in the future.

Journalism is becoming popular in Kulyab. Recently 14 young people have passed a six-month practical training at the local newspaper Pazhvok. The project was supported by the US-based NGO Urban Institute and funded by USAID.

15 September
All media

Within the framework of the project “Mobilization of the media in Central Asia to protect the rights of women and children” journalists from printing and electronic media produced 16 feature stories, 12 radio programs and 4 documentaries. These works cover various aspects of life among women and children in Central Asia.

The produced materials were evaluated by the BBC Trust Fund, local and foreign media consultants. Young journalists received practical support from their experienced colleagues.

15 September
All media

Dushanbe hosted the final conference on the project “Mobilization of the media in Central Asia to protect the rights of women and children”. The project was implemented under support of the BBC Trust Fund jointly with international and local experts and financial support of the European Commission. The conference was attended by representatives of the Tajik media community, leaders of NGOs working in the sphere of women and child rights.

15 September
Public Unit Khoma, Dushanbe

The public organization Khoma has launched a new TV show “Tavozun” (Balance) at the State TV company Safina. The program is being produced within the framework of the project “Central Asia Invest” of the European Union and the project “Enhancing professional skills and public influence of Tajik business associations” implemented by Internews Europe. The project is targeted to improving business environment in Tajikistan through support of entrepreneurship and better coverage of business topics in the local mass media.

17 September
Imruz, private radio company, Dushanbe

On 17 September private radio company Imruz launched its broadcasting in the northern Sughd province of Tajikistan. Rustami Joni, director of the radio company said that so far it could broadcast only in the capital, although it has its correspondents in other parts of the country.

Now, Radio Imruz also covers the cities of Khujand, Chkalovsk, and Bobojongafurov district of Sughd province. The Oriono Media company, which owns Radio Imruz invested $15 thousand for the expansion of its broadcasting.

22 September
All media, Dushanbe

The 7 Central Asia Festival of Ecological Journalism was opened on 22 September in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe.

The festival is organized under support of state, international and public organizations. The five countries of Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan – presented their media works.

The contest within the framework of the Festival covers media works presented by TV companies, radio stations and printing outlets on the following topics: biodiversity, transboundary water issues, climate change and ecological tourism.

II. VIOLATION OF RIGHTS IN THE MEDIA

1. Impediments to professional activities in the media

3 September
Kulyab city television, Kulyab, Khatlon province

Journalist of the Kulyab city television Khudoyor Valiev was beaten by Karakhon Makhmudov, an official from the Khatlon province education department. The behavior of the official was discussed at an official meeting. Mr. Makhmudiov is an elderly person; in this regard, he received only a public censure for his dishonorable behavior.

2. Violation of economic rights of a medium

3 September
Radio Imruz, Dushanbe

Radio Imruz has renewed its broadcasting after a long recess. Broadcasting was stopped by a technical service under the Tajik Ministry of Transport and Communications, which discovered disrepair in the company’s transmitter.

III. CONFLICTS. VIOLATIONS INCRIMINATED TO THE MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS

1. Claim for protection of honor, dignity and business reputation affected by publication of certain data

3 September
Private newspaper Paikon, Dushanbe

The Supreme Court of Tajikistan considers that the article titled “Came from Israel to look for justice published in the Paikon weekly on 11 June 2009 is unsubstantiated.

The article described trials between a woman who came from Israel to resolve her claims on private property in Dushanbe. The Supreme Court, referring to statements made by experts, and court hearings made arrived to a decision that the publication is unsubstantiated.

2 September
Farazh weekly, Dushanbe

Editor of the Farazh newspaper received a letter from chairman of the Istravshan city court in response to an article titled “Lynch-law in Istravshan”, criticizing judicial proceedings in the court.

Chairman of the court complains that the publication is biased and superficial; the author interviewed only an attorney of the defendant and his relatives, who are not properly familiar with the case.

9 September
Private newspaper Paikon, Dushanbe

The State Finance Control and Anticorruption Agency considers that the public appeal of a group of entrepreneurs to President Rakhmon published by Paikon weekly on 22 July 2009 is unsubstantiated and unlawful.

The Agency required publication of refutation in response to the article, which – in their opinion – “contain wrong information, and defames honor and dignity of the Agency”.

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 Karshibayev

Only the court has the right to establish responsibility for mistakes in publications

On 22 September chairman of the Tajik Bar Association Naim Amirbekov had a meeting with Tajik journalists. The meeting was held within the framework of the project “Support to Tajik Independent Media” being implemented by the Tajik National Association of Independent Mass Media (NANSMIT) under support of the US-based non-governmental organization National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

Mr. Amirbekov touché upon the issue of responsibility for mistakes in publications. Usually, newspapers make references to a note on the last page saying that “the editing board bears no responsibility for published materials”. “This does not disembarrass the newspaper from responsibility”, — said Amirbekov. — “Only the court can establish the responsibility for mistakes – deliberate or unintentional”.

The lawyer also made a reference to Article 30 of the Tajik law “On printing and other mass media”, which says that prior to publishing an article, the journalist should check and analyze all data and facts.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

Radio Imruz covers new territories

On 17 September the Tajik private radio company Imruz opened its affiliate in Sughd province of Tajikistan.

The founder of Radio Imruz is the company Oriyono Media Ltd. From 2002 to 2005 Oriyono Media rebroadcast programs of “Russkoe Radio” (Russian Radio). On 15 August 2007 the company launched its own radio station – Radio Imruz.

Up to quite a recent time, Radio Imruz was available only in Dushanbe and its suburbs; however, the company has its correspondents in Sughd province, in Khatlon, in Rasht valley and in Gorno Badakhshan.

Since 17 September Radio Imruz has been broadcasting in Khujand and Chkalovsk and in Bobojon Gafurov district of Sughd province.

Director of the radio company Rustam Joni says that Imruz is a commercial information medium. The company invested $15 thousand to expand the broadcasting coverage, and it will keep allocating additional funds in Sughd province to further improve the quality of its broadcasting.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

Conference on “Mobilization of the Media to Support the Rights of Women and Children”

On 15 September Dushanbe hosted a final conference on the project “Mobilization of the Media in Central Asia to Support the Rights of Women and Children”.

The project was implemented by the BBC World Service Trust jointly with international and local partners under a grant support from the European Commission.

Tajik media and leaders of non-governmental organizations took part in the conference. Coordinator of this project in Tajikistan and chairman of the Tajik National Association of Independent Media (NANSMIT) Nuriddin Karshibaev noted the input of journalists in successful implementation of this project. Mr. Karshibaev thanked journalists for their media products, which reflect the problems of women and children.

During the conference participants watched and discussed special documentaries produced within the framework of this project.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

Tajikistan is last to next on IT development

According to the Global Economic Forum Report, Tajikistan is the last to next among its CIS neighbors in terms of development of information and communication technologies.

According to the web source www.weforum.org, the leader in information technologies in the CIS is Azerbaijan, and Armenia is the last one.

Tajikistan has the 104-th position in terms of the number of subscribers of landline telephony and the 111-th position in terms of the number of mobile telephony. As for the number of Internet subscribers, Tajikistan has the 103-rd position.

Asia Plus

Barki Tojik has no technical means to communicate with journalists

Prosecutor General’s office and the Tajik energy holding Barki Tojik ignored the request of newspaper Nigoh regarding a complaint of the Nurek hydropower plant’s personnel.

On 6 July the Nigoh weekly (#23, 27.08.09) addressed a request on information to the joint stock company Barki Tojik regarding a complaint from employees of the Nurek hydropower plant.

Nigoh has been conducting an investigation on the complaint, which states that chairman of Barki Tojik Sharif Isoev had beaten his subordinates. Journalists face many impediments in their investigation, and the article was published with delay.

In course of investigation journalists established that Sharif Isoev had beaten employees of the hydropower plant accusing them of selling water to the neighboring Uzbekistan; he also illegally fired director of the Nurek hydropower plant Rustam Zogakov. Applicants have been waiting for fair justice and actions by the law enforcement structures against Isoev.

In June the newspaper sent its second written request to the Prosecutor General’s office, but has not received any feedback. It is interpreted as a violation of the Tajik law “On applications of citizens” and the President’s decree “On response of officials to critical and analytical publications in the mass media” (#622).

Management of Barki Tojik sent the following response to Nigoh: “Inpursuance of your request, Barki Tojik is ready to meet with your journalists and provide them with relevant experts for your investigation. Regrettably, we cannot provide you with any written information in view of the lack of technical capacities”.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

Freedom of Speech in Tajikistan August 2009

This monitoring presents a compilation of reports from Tajikistan’s media and private reports from the NANSMIT monitoring network in the country

Coordinator of the Monitoring Network in Tajikistan:
Abdufattokh Vokhidov

Head of the Legal Service:
Orifjon Azimov

Head of the Project in Tajikistan:
Nuriddin Karshibayev

Freedom of Speech in Tajikistan
August 2009

In August 2009 the NANSMIT Monitoring Service received 24 reports. Eighteen 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 one report describes conflicts and accusations against the media and journalists.

I. PECULIARITIES OF POLITICAL, SOCIAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL ENVIRONMENT IN THE COUNTRY DEFINING THE FACTUAL SITUATION IN THE MEDIA

1. Public speeches and statements of government officials defining the factual situation in the mass media

14 August
H. Khakimova, deputy chair of Khatlon province

Ms. H. Khakimova, deputy chair of Khatlon province discussed activities of the media with local journalists, and, in particular, the issues of public awareness about the government policies and resolutions of the President.

Khakimova noted that journalists make their worthy contribution in social development of the province. Journalists asked the representative of the authorities to assist them in setting up news bureaus for the state news agency Khovar, TV Safina, a branch of the Tajik Union of Journalists and the magazine Bonuvoni Tojikistin.

27 August
Executive authorities of Shurabad district, Khatlon province

Authorities of Shurabad district in Khatlon province allocated funds for procurement of computer hardware and Internet communication for two local newspapers – Nasimi Terai and Ovozi Khalk, printing outlets of the People Democratic Party of Tajikistan. The authorities also intend to procure new printing equipment for these two newspapers.

2. Factual status of the media and the freedom of speech

3 August
TV Khatlon, Khatlon province

On 3 August the State TV and Radio Committee terminated broadcasting of the government TV company Khatlon TV.

According to Sherali Saidov, acting head of the Committee, the province TV station owes Tajiktelecom (the State Committee’s technical facility) 170 thousand Somoni (about $39 thousand US dollars).

Broadcasting resumed on the next day, when the parties settled the issue. The arrears were redeemed by the State TV and Radio Committee; however, the TV station received a warning saying that from now on, Tajiktelecom will be charging all broadcasting entities – regardless of their form of property – for the technical services it provides them with.

7 August
Ruznomai Binokoron, printing outlet of the Architecture and Civil Construction Agency under the government

The first issue of Ruznomai Binokoron, a printing body of the Architecture and Civil Construction Agency was published on 7 August. Dilbar Tabarova, editor of the new weekly told the Khovar news agency that the first edition is published on the occasion of the Civil Construction Workers’ National Day celebrated on 9 August.

The newspaper’s circulation is one thousand copies; it will be published in Tajik and Russian languages at the Intishor printing house.

11 August
Sukhan weekly, Union of Journalists, Dushanbe

The Union of Journalists of Tajikistan (UJT) intends to create its own printing body. UJT has already submitted its application to register the newspaper in the Ministry of Culture. The Sukhan (“speech”) weekly will be published in Tajik language; the first issue will appear in September.

A newspaper with the same name already existed in the 1990-s; it was founded by Otakhon Latifi, former chairman of the Tajik Union of Journalists. In 1993 the newspaper was closed, when its editor emigrated from the country.

17 August
Vladimir Pryakhin, OSCE ambassador to Tajikistan, Dushanbe

“The national media in Tajikistan need further improvement… some remote regions of the country are not covered by the national television,” — said Vladimir Pryakhin in his interview to Vetcherny Dushanbe weekly.

Pryakhin noted that residents in those areas are mainly using satellite aerials. “This is good, but this proves that people are longing for foreign television. The national media should provide local residents with appropriate volumes of information as well”, — he added.

OSCE implements projects targeted to strengthening of the Tajik media, but these efforts are not sufficient. According to ambassador Pryakhin, journalists are still being persecuted for their publications.

24 August
Window to India, a new magazine in Tajikistan, Dushanbe

The first issue of a new magazine “Window to India” was published under support of the Embassy of India in Dushanbe. The magazine is published in Tajik language; it covers essential aspects of cultural life in India: education, literature, figurative arts, theaters, etc.

25 August
Radio Asia Plus

Private radio company Asia Plus launched a series of programs dedicated to the holy month of Ramadan. The daily program starts with at sunrise, when Muslims should start fasting.

“The Ramadan program is not only about the essence of fasting; it is alos about the importance of good and noble deeds”, — said Parvona Akhrori, Asia Plus executive director.

31 August
Farazh, private newspaper, Dushanbe

Public-political newspaper Farazh will be published twice a week. According to Khurshed Niyozov, editor of Farazh, on 26 August the editing board produced a special issue of the newspaper.

Since the early 1990-s there have not been any daily newspapers in Tajikistan. Only certain government newspapers were issued twice a week. One of the main reasons of the absence of daily newspapers is the obsolete printing facilities and underdeveloped system of dissemination, i.e. the weak network of kiosks and postal services.

2. Journalists protecting their civil and professional rights

3 August
All media, Dushanbe

Media professionals approached the Tajik authorities with a request to support “the forth power” in conditions of the global financial crisis.

Directors of Tajik media outlets, journalists and media experts signed an appeal saying that “the Tajik mass media, as an integral part of the national economy and the Tajik society have been severely affected by the global financial crisis”.

Referring to independent assessment conducted by printing and electronic media, Tajik journalists state that more than 90 percent of the media experience serious financial difficulties and their incomes decline. The number of copies of newspapers has decreased by 30-40 percent because of the lowered purchasing ability among readers, the growing prices on services and expendables; the volume of advertisement has also decreased by 70 percent.

5 August
Union of Journalists
National Association of Independent Media

The Union of Journalists of Tajikistan (UJT) and the Tajik National Association of Independent Mass Media (NANSMIT) disseminated a joint statement condemning pressure upon Olimjon Kurbanov, editor of the Business & Politics weekly from Anvari Vaisiddin, head of administration of Vakhdat city.

The author touched upon the issues of rational water use and fair distribution of water resources in rural areas. He also criticized wrongful actions of the Vakhdat city administration impeding to attraction of investments and exercising constitutional rights of newly formed water users’ associations.

In response to criticism, chairman of the Vakhdat city accused the journalist of prejudice and greed. The official’s answer is seen a “bureaucratic buck slip” rather than a an effective response in compliance with the President’s decree “On officials’ response measures to criticism in the media”.

17 August
Radio Imruz, Dushanbe

The Union of Journalists of Tajikistan (UJT), the Tajik National Association of Independent Media (NANSMIT) and the Tajik Media Alliance (MAT) launched a joint statement, expressing concern over the termination of broadcasting of the private radio companu Imruz. The statements also describes unfavorable situation within Tajikistan’s information space.

Radio Imruz has recently celebrated its second anniversary, and during this relatively short period the company has won attention of a large audience. The radio station has become popular due to a new approach to management and pluralism of opinions expressed in its daily programs.

Radio Imruz has been repeatedly facing problems with the authorities. On 11 August broadcasting was terminated. Officials from the State Broadcasting Committee’s technical unit refer to temporary problems of technological character, but the radio company’s management states that these explanations are poorly grounded.

Tajik media organizations consider such impediments absolutely unacceptable, especially on the eve of the forthcoming parliamentary elections in Tajikistan. Actions of the Tajik authorities are interpreted as serious limitations of the freedom of speech and expression, which affects the image of Tajikistan in the world arena.

19 August
Zarif Alizoda, accredited ombudsman on human rights in Tajikistan, Dushanbe

On 19 August accredited ombudsman on human rights in Tajikistan Zarif Alizoda held a meeting with journalists in Dushanbe. The meeting was organized by the Tajik National Association of Independent Media (NANSMIT) jointly with the Tajik Union of Journalists (UJT).

Mr. Alizoda informed journalists about the purpose of creating the Ombudsman institute in Tajikistan, which main goal is protection of human rights.

II. VIOLATION OF RIGHTS IN THE MEDIA

1. Violation of economic rights

11 August
Radio Imruz, Dushanbe

Since 27 July Radio Imruz has been experiencing problems with broadcasting. According to Rustami Joni, director of Imruz, his radio company timely pays for radio transmitters [to the State Broadcasting Committee’s technical facility, Teleradiocom].

2. Accusation of religious extremism

12 August
Shukhrat Shodiev, freelance journalist, Tajikistan

Freelance journalist Shukhrat Shodiev was gotten off the train by Uzbek police on suspicion of smuggling arms and illicit literature. At present, the journalist is being held in detention without documents in the Uzbek city of Nukus, Kara-Kalpak autonomous province.

Reportedly, Shodiev and other two citizens of Tajikistan were taken off the train at a check point between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

4. Ungrounded limitations in access to publicly important information

27 August
Paikon, private newspaper, Dushanbe

Director of the State Anticorruption and Finance Control Agency Fattokh Saidov refused to answer questions of the Paikon weekly referring to the fact that he had already answered similar questions addressed by another newspaper.

27 August
Barki Tojik, Tajik Electricity Holding, Dushanbe

The Tajik electricity holding company Barki Tojik ignored a request of the Nikokh weekly regarding a complaint of the Nurek hydropower plant’s personnel.

Responding to the request, managers of Barki Tojik said that they are ready to meet with journalists and answer any questions; however, by technical reasons they are not ready to respond in written form.

III. CONFLICTS. VIOLATIONS INCRIMINATED TO THE MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS

1. Protection of honor, dignity and business reputation

7 August
Ministry of Health, Dushanbe

Deputy Minister of Health Azamjon Mirzoev made clarifications regarding a publication posted on the web site of the Avesta news agency titled “Hemorrhagic fever arrived from Russia”. Referring to unofficial sources, Avesta stated that 24 persons have died from the infection. It was also said in the article that the village of Zieratut is blocked by law enforcement agencies. Besides that, it was stated that “the infection came from Russia, i.e. people got contaminated from a corpse of a labor migrant, which arrived from Russia”.

According to Mirzoev, the information published by Avesta is far from the truth. The number of victims is three, and only five patients were hospitalized. None of the villages in the area have been blocked. And there are no grounds to speculate that the source of the disease is a dead body of a labor migrant. Eventually, it was proven that the first сообщениях оcontamination was caused by a mite.

The Ministry of Health advised journalists to check information more thoroughly before publishing articles, which may provoke panicking among people.

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 Karshibayev

Tajik labor migrants obtained their own “voice”

On 27 August 2009 the Russian public movement “Tajik Labor Migrants” received a certificate from the Russian Federal Mass Communication Service permitting to establish its own printing body (Roskomnadzor, ПИ ФС77- 37014, 30 July 2009).

The newspaper will be published in two languages – Russian and Tajik; the initial circulation is 50 thousand copies. The territory of dissemination is the Russian Federation and the CIS countries.

The newspaper positions itself as an information-analytical, political, cultural and educational periodical.

Experts say that the registration of this newspaper is the evidence of acknowledgement of the Tajik labor migrants as a full-fledged element of the Russian civil society.

http://www.centrasia.ru/

The anti-corruption agency communicates only with “exclusive” papers

Fattokh Saidov, director of the State Anti-corruption and Financial Control Agency refused to answer questions addressed by the Paikon newspaper, referring to the fact that he had answered similar questions addressed by another periodical.

The Paikon weekly (#24, 26.08.09) was planning an interview with director of the State Anti-corruption agency Fattokh Saidov. The official had been approached well in advance, but he asked journalists to present their questions in written form (which they did). The questions concerned the Agency’s activities and plans for the future.

After numerous telephone calls, the newspaper received the following answer: “In pursuance of your letter dated 14 August 2009, we hereby notify you that I have been interviewed by the Asia Plus weekly, and provided the newspaper with all the answers to your questions. Besides that, you can find additional information about the Agency’s activities, programs, etc. in the texts of public speeches of its director, as well as on our web site www.anticorruption.tj

Seven questions of Paikon remained unanswered.

NANSMIT monitoring service