On 3 May, Tajik media professional celebrated the International Free Press Day in Dushanbe and Khujand

These cultural events were organized by the Union of Journalists of Tajikistan, National Association of Independent Media, Tajikistan (NANSMIT), and other media organizations. Authorities of Sughd province, the Youth Center in Khujand, the Tajik branch of Open Society Institute, and the OSCE Center in Dushanbe also helped in organizing the vents.

Among thematic events, there was a round table discussion on the topic “Freedom of speech and problems of information security in Tajikistan”. Nuriddin Karshibayev, chairman of NANSMIT says that the situation in the sphere of freedom of expression can be characterized as stagnation. Referring to the principles of the national information security, the authorities create impediments for the development of free press. Participants of the discussion stressed that freedom of expression cannot pose any threats to the information security; on the contrary, is helps saturate the information space.

At the round table, NANSMIT presented its original publications: “Monitoring of Freedom of Speech and Media in Tajikistan in 2006” and “Rights of journalists: questions and answers”.

NANSMIT, Monitoring Service

The board of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan congratulated Tajik journalists on the International Free Press Day

The appeal of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan (DPT) says in particular that “establishment of freedom for the media is one of the strategic goals in the program of DPT”.

“Another confirmation to that is the creation of newspaper “Adolat”, and publishing of this outlet abroad in the conditions when the Communist Party ruled the country, — says the appeal. – We have had famous journalists in our ranks: Imomnazari Kholnazar, Saidkosimi Kiyompour, Shavkati Rajabiyon, Olimi Zarobek, Abdurofe Rabizoda, Shakhriyai Adhamzod, Abdulvokhidi Alamkhon, Jovid Mukim, Nasimi Narzullo, Odil Islomi, Makhmadali Saidov, Bekhruzi Zabekhullo, Mashrabi Abdullo, Sadriddin Khasanzoda, Rajabi Mirzo, Faizi Mirasan, Angurshoi Angursho, Shojamoli Shojamol, and many others”.

The DPT board noted that the party will always remember those who were killed during the years of the civil war.

The Party officials also mentioned in their appeal that the Free Press Day coincides with the birthday of Makhmadruzi Iskandarov, the leader of DPT who was imprisoned by the current regime. On this day, the Party celebrates “The Open Day” inviting any visitors.

http://toptj.com/

On 3 May, the Khatlon province administration convened a meeting in the city of Kurgan-Tube to discuss the issues of celebrating the forthcoming National Unity Day

The administration invited journalists to attend the meeting of the steering committee. However, right after the beginning of the meeting, deputy prime minister of the country, Ms. Rukiya Kurbanova asked the journalists to leave the premises.

The journalists themselves interpreted the behavior of the high-ranked official as “a certain gift for the International Free Press Day”.

NANSMIT, Monitoring Service

An international public association of Persian-language Media “Dilafrouz” registered in Tajikistan on the eve of the Free Press Day

According to Adolati Mirzo, one of the founders of the new agency, the main goal of the association is protection of rights of journalists writing in Persian language working in Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran and the CIS.

The idea to create such organization was voiced a year ago in Dushanbe, at the Forum of Persian-language Journalists. More than 60 media professionals from Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and Uzbekistan took part in that event and created the association, which now is officially registered as an international public organization.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

On 3 May, the Union of Journalists and NANSMIT announced the winners of the contest for media professionals “Looking for the truth”

Ekaterina Kozhevnikova, correspondent of the Asia Plus weekly is the winner in the category “The best analytical article”. The best analyst on social issues is Kironsho Sharifzoda, editor of the Jomea weekly. And the winner in the category “The best political analysis” is Abdufattokh Vokhidov, correspondent of the Millat newspaper.

The winners in the category “Professional Courage” are Khamraguli Kodir from the Millat newspaper, and Jamila Khuseinova from Cxharkhi Ghardun.

there were special nominations in the contest. Daler Gufronov, correspondent of Asia Plus is acknowledged the best in the category of “Investigative Journalism”. Newspaper Farazh was acknowledged the best for its innovative professional approach.

The best regional newspaper is the Sughd weekly Varorud (Khujand city); and the best outlets for children are the newspaper Anboz and the magazine Oftobak.

The contest was dedicated to the International Free Press Day

NANSMIT

The first issue of the Tajik Tribune weekly, belonging to the Union of Tajikistani in Russia, will be published before the 1 May in Tajik and Russian languages

Abdullo Davlatov, chairman of the Tajikistani told the Asia Plus news agency that the new weekly will be helping Tajik labor migrants to keep relations with their home country and learn more about their civil rights.

Shavkat Niyozi, a Tajik publicist is appointed editor of the Tajik Tribune.

Asia Plus

TOL is pleased to announce its summer lineup of journalism courses, all of which will be held in Prague in July 2008.

Beginning 6 July running through 11 July, TOL is offering its New Media Essentials course. Led by new media professionals with extensive experience in the field, this course offers everything you need to know about online media – including podcasting, RSS feeds, blogging, online promotion and much more!

13 July and running through 18 July, TOL is offering a new course in Travel Writing led by highly-experienced travel writers who have turned their wanderlust into careers. The course will provide practical training and real-world advice designed to help participants launch their own travel writing careers.

20 July-28 July, TOL will host its 7th Foreign Correspondent Training Course. Covering the ins and outs of reporting abroad, this popular course features journalists from highly-respected media outlets including the BBC, The Economist and Reuters. TOL is funding one full-scholarship to a qualified participant from selected countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

For more information about TOL’s courses, contact plockovaj@tol.org or go to http://journalism-courses.tol.org.

http://www.ijnet.org/

Editors of newspapers, wire, or online news outlets have until June 1 to apply for the opportunity to spend five weeks in the U.S. working in a professional newsroom.

Administered by the International Center for Journalists in partnership with the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the “International Journalism Exchange” program (IJE) is open to editors who have worked in journalism for at least five years, are proficient in English, but have little substantial previous travel to or training in the U.S.

The five-week program will begin October 10 with an orientation in Washington, D.C., followed by a newspaper assignment that offers exposure to all the departments of a U.S. newsroom. The program concludes with a two-day session in New York City that consists of professional group activities, including visit to The New York Times and final evaluation of the program.

For more information, visit http://www.icfj.org/OurWork/Fellowships/InternationalJournalismExchange/tabid/336/Default.aspx or email ije@icfj.org. Submit applications online at https://app.formassembly.com/forms/view/667, or via email — the application documents can be downloaded at http://www.icfj.org/OurWork/Fellowships/InternationalJournalismExchange/tabid/336/Default.aspx. Or fax or mail to International Journalism Exchange, International Center for Journalists, 1616 H Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C., 20006, U.S.A.; Tel: +1-202-737-3700; Fax: +1-202-737-0530.

http://www.ijnet.org/

An Italian freelance photo reporter Stefano Zardini came to Tajikistan to produce a thematic photo reportage about problems and achievements of the Tajik law enforcement services fighting drug trafficking and protecting the Tajik-Afghan border.

Tajik officials say that the Italian journalist came to the country upon the invitation of the Drug Control and Crime Prevention Agency (DCA) under the President of Tajikistan.

“Stefano Zardinin is going to work with the Tajik border guards while they are preparing and conduct special operations, — said the source from DCA. — The journalist then will produce a photo album, which will be disseminated among donor countries that render technical assistance to Tajikistan in training personnel for the law enforcement agencies”.

International Journalism Center MediaNet and the Kazakh International Bureau on Human Rights and Law launched a contest on best publications on problems of tortures in Central Asia.

Rukhshona Najmiddinova, Senior Media Assistant of the OSCE Center in Dushanbe told the Asia Plus news agency that the contest is one of the activities within the framework of the project “Averting tortures in Central Asia” implemented by Freedom House Europe and its partner organizations in the countries of the region under support of European Commission.

The contest jury accepts articles published in the mass media of Central Asian countries during the period from July 2007 up to date.

“Acceptable are investigative articles, analytical materials, surveys and reportages that have been published in the printing media or have been broadcast in the electronic media of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan”, — said Najmiddinova. The articles will be evaluated by an international jury comprised of journalists, lawyers and human rights activists. The deadline for submitting materials is 10 June 2008. The results will be announced on 26 June, International Day of Protection of Victims of Tortures. Three main winners will receive awards in the amounts of $1 thousand, $600 and $400».

Asia Plus