A New Media and Internet Publishing seminar sponsored by Transitions will take place in Dushanbe on 27-29 March 2009.

Participants in the event, designed for citizens of Tajikistan, will learn the latest trends in online media — including blogging, podcasting, community-building, citizen journalism, and online promotion — from some of Central Asia’s leaders in the field.

Application deadline: March 9, 2009For more information or to apply, go to: http://training.tol.org

http://training.tol.org

Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Azimov’s recent visit to Tajikistan, made in connection with a rare session of an inter-governmental commission, raises the possibility of a thaw in relations between the two Central Asian states, Tajik experts say. The ability of Dushanbe and Tashkent to address their many differences could have important implications for ongoing military operations in Afghanistan to contain the Taliban.
The commission session on February 19 marked the first bilateral, high-level contact between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in seven years. Despite that encouraging signal, doubt continues to hover over the future of Tajik-Uzbek relations. Skeptics point to the fact that participants failed to address some of the most intractable problems plaguing the two countries’ relations. In addition, media access to the Tajik-Uzbek intergovernmental commission was restricted, and a post-meeting news conference was cancelled due to the abrupt departure of the Uzbek delegation.
The bilateral commission meeting followed Uzbek President Islam Karimov’s surprise February 13 announcement that Tashkent was willing to reconsider its long opposition to the construction of the Rogun hydropower plants in upstream Tajikistan, provided that international auditors verified the viability of the project. Uzbekistan could even become an investor in Rogun and other upstream energy development schemes, he suggested. Dushanbe’s Asia-Plus news agency characterized Karimov’s comments as «sensational.»
«In the event of positive outcomes in international water-environmental studies, Uzbekistan can participate in the construction of big hydropower plants in the neighboring countries, including in Tajikistan,» Karimov told a cabinet meeting. At the same time, he emphasized that while every state had a sovereign right to build a power plant, «it is necessary to take into consideration ecological and water problems, which might emerge in the downstream countries.»
On February 25, with Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in Tashkent, Karimov repeated the essence of his new position.
Tajik officials are committed to building the 347-meter-tall Rogun dam and see the project as essential to resurrecting the country’s crisis-plagued economy.
As recently as late January, Uzbekistan was working feverishly to block Rogun’s construction. Karimov at that point appeared to score a diplomatic coup, when Russian President Dmitry Medvedev endorsed the Uzbek position that large-scale, water-related projects in Central Asia should require the consent of all the states in the region. Tashkent has long been wary that massive dam projects, such as Rogun, would limit the flow of water into Uzbekistan, thus endangering the country’s crucial cotton crop.
The motive for Karimov’s sudden shift in thinking remains vague. But circumstantial evidence points to a rapid change in geopolitical conditions, namely Russia’s success in inducing Kyrgyzstan to close an American air base outside of Bishkek. In what many experts see as a quid-pro-quo, Russia promised to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to complete a Kyrgyz hydro-power project. With the Kremlin no longer supporting a de facto hydro-power project freeze in Central Asia, Karimov may well have decided to soften his own stance.
According to local media outlets, the February 19 Tajik-Uzbek meeting managed to agree on the issues of delimitation and demarcation of 97 percent of the two countries’ 1,200 kilometer shared border. The parties also signed a protocol regarding the schedule of the Kairakkum water reservoir in northern Tajikistan. Under this agreement, Tajikistan will store and conserve water yearly until May 31 to aid the Uzbek growing season.
But the more protracted and emotional water and energy issues remained unresolved.
Independent political expert Parviz Mullojanov says the fact the visit occurred at all was a «very positive» step that could help defuse bilateral tension. While he is optimistic regarding future resolution of «secondary problems,» such as the cancellation of the visa regime and resumption of air communication, he says the two countries have a long way to go before coming to terms on bigger issues. «It will be difficult to resolve the regional controversies, such as the trans-boundary water use and construction of hydropower plants,» Mullojanov told EurasiaNet.
Another Dushanbe-based observer, Nuriddin Karshibaev, chairman of the National Association of Independent Media (NANSMIT), believes the key to improved relations is Tashkent’s ability to readjust its regional ambitions. «On many occasions, especially when it concerns trans-boundary water, Uzbekistan referred to international treaties, interpreting these documents for its own benefit,» Karshibaev said. «But the country (Uzbekistan) totally forgets about other legally binding international documents when it concerns export and transition of Tajik electricity.»
While some fault the personal ambitions of the Uzbek and Tajik leaders — rather than economic and political factors — for tense bilateral relations, Mullojanov suggests a major factor is Uzbekistan’s desire for influence. «Uzbekistan wants to be the number one in Central Asia, and it has contradictions and unresolved problems not only with Tajikistan,» he said. «These problems will remain even if other leaders come to power.»
Despite the tensions, Uzbekistan remains one of Tajikistan’s most important trading partners, as Tajik deputy Prime Minister Murodali Alimardon acknowledged in his opening remarks. Bound by their common history, facing the global economic crisis, the two countries cannot afford confrontation, he said.
One factor that may be encouraging the restoration of trust and a collaborative mood is US efforts to establish a northern supply network to support military operations in Afghanistan. Both Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are participating in the network, and both have a vital interest in seeing it succeed, given that both states share long borders with strife-torn Afghanistan. Resupply efforts will require Dushanbe and Tashkent to cooperate.
If Uzbekistan and Tajikistan continue to bicker, the hostility could end up hampering the United States’ ability to deliver supplies to American forces fighting the Taliban.
Editor’s Note: Konstantin Parshin is a freelance journalist based in Dushanbe.

Konstantin Parshin, EurasiaNet

Источник: http://www.eurasianet.org

A team of researchers representing the Tajik branch of the US-based NGO Urban Institute has started a study titled “Relations between authorities, population and the media”.

The research will be carried out in the city of Kulyab, Khatlon province. Zafar Mirzoev, manager of the local Urban Institute office in Kulyab says that this work will be accomplished by means of an anonymous opinion poll involving questioners.

Upon the accomplishment of the study, Urban Institute intends to carry out practical seminars – initially “training for trainers”, who later will be working with representatives of local administrations, the media and public at large.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/

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
Situation in February 2009

In February 2009 the NANSMIT Monitoring Service received 17 reports. Fourteen 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 one report describes 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

4 February
Khikoyatmo Khakimova, deputy head of Khatlon province, Kurgan-Tube

On 4 February the new deputy head of Khatlon province, Khikoyatmo Khakimovs held a meeting with the media. Khakimova informed journalists about the intentions and desire of the authorities to cooperate with the media.
“Journalists are creative individuals, and people trust them”, — she said. — “The media is the best source of information about the ongoing problems, events and developments”.

7 February
Emomali Rakhmon, President of Tajikistan, Dushanbe

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon signed a decree “On response of officials to critical and analytical publications in the media».
The President’s Office press service informs that the decree pursues the goals of strengthening executive discipline and enhancing the role of the media in public, political and socio-economic life of the society.
Ministers and managers of enterprises are charged to take urgent measures on critical remarks and suggestions voice in the media.

9 February
All media, Dushanbe

“In case of non-fulfillment of the President’s decree, officials will be brought to responsibility in accordance with the law “On applications of citizens”, — said Saidali Siddikov, head of the information-analytical unit under the President’s office. He made this statement at a round table organized by the Tajik Union of Journalists.
Siddikov also told the media that the decree signed on 7 February has been sent to 700 relevant institutions in Tajikistan.
“I am confident that this initiative will be an impulse in resolving the most relevant issues touched upon in the media”, — said Siddikov. – “This is the evidence of the government’s support to the media”.

11 February
Ilkhom Jamolov, head of the information-analytical center of the Sughd province authorities

On 11 February head of the information-analytical center of the Sughd province authorities Ilkhom Jamolov held a meeting with representatives of the regional and local media to familiarize them with the President decree “On response of officials to critical and analytical publications in the media».

24 February
Narzullo Dadabaev, head of press service, Ministry of Agriculture, Dushanbe

“The Ministry of Agriculture calls journalists to a closer cooperation, and is ready to respond to critical and analytical materials in the media”, — said Narzullo Dadabaev, head of the Ministry’s press service. He also stated that the Minister of Agriculture Kosim Kosimov considers that the media should fully participate in resolving problems in this sector.

3. Evaluation of the factual situation in the media and the freedom of speech

12 February
All media, Dushanbe

“Most of the Tajik media have partner relations with the authorities”, — said professor Ibragim Usmanov at a round table “Media and the authorities: partnership or dissent?” organized by a public unit “Journalist” jointly with the Tajik Union of journalists. (Farazh newspaper, #6, 12.02.09).

Usmonov said that in the relations between the media and the authorities the latter always prevail. Having listed a number of factors, which have had a negative influence on the Tajik media, the professor said that the absence of daily newspapers in the country is the most essential problem.

18 February
All media

“The project of a unified center of electronic communication, which has been repeatedly proposed for implementation, brings into a question the existence of the freedom of speech in the country”, — stated Mikhail Petrushkov, executive director of the Tajik Association of Small and Medium Business Ventures. The statement was made at a press conference for representatives of telecom companies. Experts say that the implementation of such a project would imply a total control over the national communication. Another troublesome fact is that the national communication operator “Tojiktelecom”, the author of this idea would have monopolist rights in this sector.

25 February
Radio Sadoi Dushanbe

Radio program “Speak Russian” on the city Radio Sadoi Dushanbe has been dormant for several months. Tatyana German, head of the Pushkin society in Tajikistan says that the main reason for termination of the program is the absence of funds.

4. Journalists protecting their civil and professional rights

5 February
Tajik Union of Journalists, Dushanbe

The Tajik Union of Journalists is launching a series of meetings dedicated to its 50-th anniversary. The Union is planning to hold meetings with veterans of the domestic journalism.

II. VIOLATION OF RIGHTS IN THE MEDIA

1. Impediments to professional activities

5 February
Bakhtior Valiev, correspondent, Asia Plus, Khujand, Sughd province

Bakhtior Valiev, freelance correspondent of Asia Plus news agency was invited to the Sughd province Health department.
The reason for the invitation was a publication about problems with power supply at the province cardiological center, where physicians had to terminate surgical operations.
Health officials, previously interviewed by the correspondent, recommended him to make additional clarifications to the published story.

COMMENT

Article 30 of the Tajik Constitution, Articles 2 and 36 of the law “On printing and other mass media” and Article 3 of the law “On TV and Radio” guarantee and protect the freedom of speech and the right to use the mass media.

According to Article 31 of the law “On printing and other mass media”, journalists have the right to receive and disseminate information, to produce any records, including those performed with the help of audio, photo and video equipment, except for cases described in the legislation.
Impediments in any professional activities, as well as coercion to dissemination or refusal of dissemination of information forms corpus delicti according to Article 162 of the Tajik Criminal Code.

3. Ungrounded limitations in provision of publicly important information

22 February
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Dushanbe

At a press conference in January journalists complained that they cannot timely receive publicly important information from persons in charge at the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

COMMENT

The freedom of speech and the right to use information are guaranteed by Article 30 of the Tajik Constitution. Exceptions are the data containing elements of national secrecy.
Article 31 of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On printing and other mass media” enables journalists to look for, receive and disseminate information applying any legal means. And Article 5 of the Law in question obliges state, political and public organizations, entities and their officials to provide the media with requested information. Denial in provision of information, according to Article 27 of the Law in question, can be discussed between the medium and the relevant official, and also can be considered in court.

III. CONFLICTS. VIOLATIONS INCRIMINATED TO MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS

1. Protection of honor, dignity and business reputation

19 February
Gulbakhor Gafforova, actress of the Khandinkamon theater studio, Kulyab, Khatlon province

Gulbakhor Gafforova, actress of the Khandinkamon theater in the city of Kulyab is going to apply to the court against the Pazhvok newspaper accusing it of insult of her honor and dignity.
Gafforova is concerned about a publication containing false information about her private life. She says that during the tour in Khatlon province she did not have any contacts with any mass medium, and the printed articles is an insult against her.
The actress also complains that the Sughd newspaper published in Sughd province reprinted Pazhvok’s article.

COMMENT

According to Articles 24, 26 of the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On printing and other mass media”, the individual who considers that the published material contains untrue or unreliable information, has the right to demand publication pf an answer or refutation of the previously made statement. In case of refusal or avoidance of the medium to publish the answer (explanation), or in case of untimely publication (beyond the established term), the individual or legal entity can appeal to the court.

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

The Tajik Ministry of Agriculture appealed to journalists soliciting for a closer cooperation. “The Ministry is ready to react and take decisive measures after critical and analytical publications,” – said Narzullo Dadabaev, head of the Ministry’s press service.

The Minister of Agriculture, Kosim Kosimov also considers that the media should participate in the resolution of problems in agriculture.

The Minister has recently signed an order, which, in particular, says the following: “Heads of jurisdictional units, enterprises and organizations, i.e. subordinates to the Ministry must take decisive measures in response to analytical and critical publications in both domestic and foreign media”. The order also obliges agricultural officials to present reports on these measures to the Ministry.

For the time being, there are 46 jurisdictional units under the Ministry, including the state unitary enterprises, administrative units, etc. Seventy three percent of the population reside in rural areas; about 700 thousand people are employed in the agricultural sector.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/

Mahmadsaid Ubaidullaev, speaker of the Tajik Parliament had a meeting last week with Izatullo Zargomi, chairman of the Iranian TV & Radio Committee.

According to the Parliament’s press service, the parties discussed aspects of cooperation between the two countries in the sphere of telecommunications, information technologies and joint implementation of broadcasting projects.

Zargomi told the press service that his agency is planning to organize a series of TV and radio programs about Tajikistan to facilitate the promotion of Tajikistan’s achievements and help the country’s economy attract the Iranian capital.

Ubaidullaev mentioned the necessity of studying the Iranian entrepreneurial experience in order to facilitate the development of free economic zones in Tajikistan. Broadcasting can play a very important role in that.

The Iranian guest also told the press service about the intention to broadcast the celebration of Navruz (Vernal Equinox) from Tajikistan via the Iranian TV and radio channels.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/

The Business and Politics weekly jointly with the Tajik labor migrants’ trade union in the CIS countries have launched a special periodical on the issues of labor migrations.

Rakhmon Ulmasov, editor of Business & Politics told the Khovar news agency that the special edition will be published on the weekly basis. The authors and editors will be writing about the problems of labor migration, about illegal migration; special articles will cover peculiarities of legislation in the Russian Federation.

http://www.khovar.tj/

The International Journalists’ Network recently launched a YouTube page that aims to connect journalists throughout the world with an ever expanding library of online journalism training videos.

Visitors to the page, at www.youtube.com/ijnetvideo, can now access information on a range of training topics, including Journalism 2.0, Writing and Editing, and Journalism Ethics.

Journalists are encouraged to submit their own training videos to IJNet’s YouTube page, such as this video submitted by Global Radio News on conducting a two-way interview. To submit your own journalism training video:

visit the IJNet YouTube intro video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWSCjapmWWs
click «Post a video response»
create and upload a new video or choose from the videos you already have.
To be notified when IJNet posts new videos in the future, create a YouTube account at www.youtube.com and Subscribe to IJNetVideo.

Webb on the Web: Networking Do’s and Don’ts
IJNet’s column on digital tools for journalists

IJNET

Launched in September 2007, this program trains students how to cover the fast-changing world of global business, economics and finance, with a focus on China’s role in the global marketplace. The program, a joint initiative between the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ, at http://www.icfj.org) and Beijing-based Tsinghua School of Journalism and Communication (TSJC, at http://www.tsjc.tsinghua.edu.cn), is taught fully in English to international standards by noted faculty in the fields of journalism, business and economics. Learn more.

IJNET

The Tajik government decided to include the Sharki Ozod printing facility in the list of vitally important objects of infrastructure in the conditions of the ongoing energy crisis in the country.

Sharki Ozod facilitates publication of the main periodicals – both government and private outlets. Shavkat Soidov, press secretary of the Dushanbe municipality told the media that the printing house will not be cut off current during the crisis.

“The decision was made jointly by the mayor’s office and the Barki Tojik energy holding, — said Saidov. — Sharki Ozod will have uninterrupted power supply 24 hours a day. The only exception might be in case of an occasional accident within the city power grid”.

Saidov also told that the key healthcare and other important facilities are included in the list of vitally important objects.

On 12 February the authorities introduced essential limitations on power supply. Most of the Dushanbe residents have access to electricity from 5 to 9 a.m. and from 4 to 11 p.m.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/