Open Society Institute selects participants for a workshop on civic journalism and new media methodologies

Rukhshona Olimova, coordinator of the OSI Media Program told Asia Plus that the training course will be dedicated to the use of media tools (blogging, web-building, etc.)

The purpose of this training is to promote media instruments among journalists, workers of NGOs, public relations officers and university students.

Candidates have to present a brief essay describing the idea of creating a private web site or a blog, to attach a CV and a copy of civil passport. The deadline for submission of documents is 26 May.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/

This year, the International Publishers Association (IPA) gave its main award to a Turkish publisher who refused to stop his human rights campaign even after he received a three-year sentence.

Since 1977, when Ragip Zarakolu and his wife founded the publishing house “Belge”, he has been facing anger of the Turkish authorities. Ragip and his wife were imprisoned; their library was confiscated; they were fined. However, Zarakolu refused to stop his campaign on the freedom of speech stating that he “promotes respect towards various viewpoints and opinions in Turkey”.

The annual award «Freedom of Publishing Activities” is given to individuals or organizations that make prominent contributions in protection and support of publishing activities. Zarakolu will receive his award in September in Amsterdam, Holland, at an international seminar on contemporary methods of censorship.

Additional information is available at: http://tinyurl.com/5lell6

http://tinyurl.com/5lell6

European Initiative on Democracy and Human Rights is looking for a specialist to work with the local media

The announcement says that the Regional Coordinator/Expert will be based in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, to render assistance in the implementation of the ВВС World Service Trust Program.

Main professional requirements: editorial skills, communicative skills, sound knowledge of English, experience in management.

Detailed information on the vacancy announcement is here: http://www.nansmit.tj/?page=events&id=71

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

Radio program “Rudaki chang bigriftu navokht” produced by the national Tajik radio won the grand prix at the international festival “Radio – the Voice of Cultures”
Committee on Radio and Television under the Government of Tajikistan informed the Khovar news agency that this program was produced by Shakhobiddin Khaknazar, editor of musical programs and by Khairullo Ibrokhim, artistic director. The festival took place in the Iranian city of Isfakhan. There were 13 different nominations.

The Tajik program was acknowledged the best among other 54 programs from different countries presented under the nomination of “Persian Classical Poets”. This international event was held under the auspices of UNESCO. The purpose of the festival was to promote diversity of cultures.

Khovar news agency

Appeals of the Tajik government to manifest civic duty and make charitable donations have become systematic

It has become almost fashionable to ask citizens to share their salaries with the government that needs to build something new and luxurious. However, people are curious – they wish to know where does the money go, and what kind of “charitable needs” it is being spent for.

In July 2007, Emomali Rakhmon registered the Public Charitable Fund. The president appealed to citizens asking them to help disabled people, orphans, elderly, etc.

Last week, Vetcherny Dushanbe weekly applied to this Fund with a question about its activities. Journalists wanted to learn how much money has been donated so far, and how these funds are being used. After the first application to the Fund in April, functionaries promised to arrange a meeting after the holidays. However, on 6 May, deputy chairman of the Fund said that they refuse to provide any information.

In this regard, journalists applied to the President’s Office, and the answer was: “…maybe they are not in a good mood”.

The president keeps reminding to the ministries and government institutions that they must be transparent in their activities and provide the media with all required data.

http://www.gazeta.tj/

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon has approved the Concept of the State Information Policy, which presents the system of official opinions of Tajikistan on goals, tasks and principles of activities in the sphere of information

Saidali Siddikov, head of the Information-analytical Department under the President’s Office told the Khovar news agency about the Concept’s main provisions. He said that the idea of the Concept belongs to the President, and it was voiced in April 2006. The adoption of the Concept pursues protection of Tajikistan’s interests in the sphere of information in conditions of globalization.

Khovar News Agency

On 13 May, in the campus of Central Asia University, a representative of the Yahoo company made a presentation on opportunities of the Internet

Nekrouz Sarbalandov, public relations officer of Central Asia University in Khorog told Pamir Media that Ms. Joanna Erhard, a representative of the Yahoo company presented a thematic lecture on modern opportunities of the Internet.

Ms. Erhard told about the new trends in the global information networks, opportunities for search of data, new aspects of communication, exchange of experience, etc.

Ms. Erhard studied international management in France and Germany. At present, she works for the Yahoo affiliate in Munich.

Pamir Media

On 14-15 May, Dushanbe is going to host the first national forum of non-governmental organizations. More than 40 delegates from all regions of the country will discuss two important documents – “National Program of Development for NGOs in Tajikistan” and “Principles of Activities among NGOs in Tajikistan”

“The implementation of these two basic documents will help mobilize human and intellectual capacities, and to strengthen personal responsibility of every individual for the destiny of our country”, — said Shamsiddin Karimov, director of the Tajik Development Foundation. He added that the documents are designed within the framework of long-term and mid-term national development concepts – “National Development Strategy for 2006-2015” and “Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper for 2006-2008”.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

“Corporative management: coverage in the media” – this is the title of a round table held in Dushanbe on 12 May

The round table is organized by the International Financial Corporation (IFC) Project in Central Asia.

The IFC experts told Tajik journalists about the principles of coverage of corporative management in the media and about the importance of this.

The workshop was conducted in an interactive format moderated by an experienced economist from Kazakhstan.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

Tajik artist Zebo Davlatshoyeva won the third prize at the Central Asian cartoon contest “The second ancient profession”

The winners were announced in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 5 March, at a press conference dedicated to the Free Press Day. The event was organized by the Union of Kazakh Journalists, the international fund “Adil Soz” and the UNESCO cluster bureau in Almaty. The second participant from Tajikistan, Khairullo Davlatov, editor of the Bomdod weekly (Kurgan-Tube) received a rewarding certificate.

The first contest was organized and launched in 2006 by the Union of Kazakh Journalists and the international fund “Adil Soz”. Due to support of IFEX and the UNESCO cluster bureau the contest has become regional. In 2008, it was held in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Participants sent more than 200 original works in five nominations.

The winner of grand prix is Sergei Korsun from the Kazakh city of Pavlodar.
Murat Dilmanov and Nikolai Verevochkin from Almaty received the second prize. The third prize was given to Galym Smagululy, Almaty; Sergei Birkle, Kostanai; Ruslan Valitov, Bishkek; and Zebo Davlatshoyeva, Dushanbe.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service