The OSCE Academy is planning to launch a series of workshops for journalists in Central Asia. The workshops will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.

The program consists of four seminars preliminary scheduled for March, June, September and November of 2008. The purpose of the program is to enhance professional skills of journalists, and provide them with knowledge about the role of the media in democratic processes. There will be practical sessions, i.e. writing of stories, articles, news analyses, etc. applying international standards of writing. Special attention will be paid to objectiveness, accuracy of data, the use of multiple sources of information. Organizers are planning lectures on the role of the media (media and politics; the media and elections, etc.). The lectures will cover the issues of politics, economy and environment in the countries of Central Asia.

Detailed information is available at: http://www.nansmit.tj/?page=events&id=67

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

“Media and Law” covers practical and theoretical issues of Tajikistan’s journalism. You can visit the following links to learn more:
http://www.nansmit.tj/publish/?id=138, http://www.nansmit.tj/publish/?id=141, http://www.nansmit.tj/publish/?id=137, http://www.nansmit.tj/publish/?id=140

NANSMIT

On 28 January, after a long proceeding that lasted for many months, the Firdavsi court in Dushanbe chaired by judge Akbar Safarov affirmed a decision on the case of journalists Mukhayo Nozimova and Farangis Nabieva, correspondents of the newspaper Ovoza.

The claimant, a pop singer Raikhona Rakhimova and the defendants, Saida Kurbanova, Mukhayo Nozimova and Farangis Nabieva asked the judge about reconciliation of the conflict. The court considered the appeal of the parties, and decided to satisfy their request. The case is settled.

Journalists of Ovoza had been accused of violating three articles of the Tajik Criminal Code: Article 135, part 2 (libel in public statements); Article 136, part 2 (insult in public statements); and Article 144 (illegal collection and dissemination of information about private life) allegedly contained in an article published by Ovoza (#25, 21 June 2007).

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

According to the Pamir Media news agency, newspaper Badakhshon, the only printing outlet in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province (GBAO) has resumed its publication.

The Logos printing facilities has published two issues of the newspaper, which was dormant from 29 December to 22 January because of technical problems with printing equipment.

Zebo Khalifaeva, director of the printing house told Pamir Media that Logos has only one printing machine produced in 1984.

Circulation of Badakhshon weekly is 1,5 thousand copies.

Pamir Media

A round table discussion on the issues of “Institutional development and new opportunities for promotion of the media in Ferghana Valley” is scheduled to be held on 25 January in the Kyrgyz city of Osh.

The discussion will be attended by representatives of the media in Ferghana Valley, international organizations, local NGOs and State structures. According to NANSMIT Monitoring Service, 9 Tajik journalists from Sughd province are going to join the participants.

Among the topics for discussion are institutional development of the media, new perspectives and opportunities for cooperation, and support from local and foreign NGOs. Participants are going to present outcomes of projects and activities implemented within the framework of the media program financed by Eurasia Foundation Central Asia (EFCA) in 2007.

The EFCA program targeted to development of independent media included training sessions for media managers, business advisory services for the media, and grant support to the media in Ferghana Valley with the purpose to create socially-oriented media products, strengthening financial sustainability and professional growth.

The program is supported by the UK Embassies in Kazakhstan and in Tajikistan, and by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

“In June 2008 the Oblast television in Khatlon will launch its own channel”, — said Gaibullo Afzalov, chairman of the province at a press conference on 17 January.

Chairman of the province also said that the amount of 300 thousand Somoni (some $90 thousand) from the local budget has been allocated for procurement of modern electronic equipment. Afzalov encharged Saidali Bobokhonov, director of TV Khatlon to organize the delivery of equipment and resolve other logistical issues jointly with the TV and Radio Committee under the Government.

According to preliminary information, TV Khatlon is planning to broadcast initially up to 8 hours a day. Afzalov says that expansion of broadcasting will allow to create additional jobs for journalists and technicians.

Head of the province administration promised to allocate additional funds for refurbishment of the TV Khatlon premises. He also noted that this building will be used in the future as a Center for the province media. News bureaus will also receive office premises for their activities.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

During the year of 2008, the whole population of Gorno-Badakhshan will get access to TV Safina, and Radio Tajikistan on FM scale.

Makulsho Makulshoev, director of Khorog-3 broadcasting center informed Asia Plus correspondent that the programs of the Tajik National Radio cover the whole territory of Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Province (GBAO). A special one-kilowatt transmitter has been installed in Khorog.

“We have got access to the satellite TV Bakhoriston, and now are intending to commence installation of a space communication station to receive and retransmit signals from the main Tajik TV and radio stations, — said Makulshoev. — Before the end of the year, we ape planning to cover about 60 percent of the population in GBAO”.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/

Isokhuja Toshkhujaev, assistant to Prosecutor of Sughd province, visiting Marufi Bobojon, editor of newspaper Anis, required him to present the original draft of an article titled “Rescue the Prosecutor”. The article was published on 14 November 2007 with a byline indicating the name of the author – Guljakhon Toshkhujaeva.

The article contained information about the author, Guljakhon Toshkhujaeva who tells the story of her family life with assistant to Prosecutor of the province, Isokhuja Toishkhujaev; the couple has two children. Guljakhon says that several years ago she was not aware that her husband-to-be had been already married. A few years later, her husband left her for another woman. According to Guljakhon, her husband is married for the third time now.

Assistant to Prosecutor received the original draft article, and promised to punish the journalists in court. Later, it turned out that he has kept his promise. On 5 December, Mukhiddin Muzaffarov, who edited the draft article, was called up by A. Goziev, a police investigator. The journalist was asked to write an explanatory note.

“I have no clue why the police is conducting the investigation, — says Muzaffarov. – I receive phone calls from Toshkhujaev who threatens to punish me for the publication”.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

Only 18 of 74 printing outlets registered in Sughd province have reregistered.

This information is received from the Sughd province executive body.

Gulmakhmad Davlatov, head of press center at the Ministry of Culture confirmed this fact. Davlatov added that in addition to the 18 newspapers and magazines, 19 printing houses have also reregistered.

According to Davlatov, the Ministry of Culture intends to develop recommendations to the government concerning the rest of the outlets and printing facilities, which have not reregistered so far. Should the government decide to prolong the terms of registration, the Ministry will immediately inform about that. Otherwise, the newspapers and printing houses will be closed.

Provision on reregistering is based on the Resolution of the Tajik Government issued on 30 June 2007. According to this document, all printing outlets and printing shops should reregister in the Ministry of Culture.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

International Confederation of Unions of Journalists, Eurasia Media Center, and International Academy of Television and Radio has launched The Third International Contest on best pictures, TV stories, video clips and documentaries. The contest “Eurasia – Social Portrait” is supported by UNESCO. The winners will be named on 3 May 2008.

The main goal of the contest is to consolidate efforts of journalists in the countries of Eurasia in tackling social problems in the region.

The organizers invite all professionals to take part in the contest. Before the 10 April, applicants should send their works – pictures or video materials. Applications with the mark “Contest” should be sent to the following address: “Eurasia Media Center, Moscow, Russian Federation, 119992, Zubovski Boulevard, 4. Union of Journalists of Russia.

Detailed information on the conditions of participation is available at: http://www.nansmit.tj/?page=events&id=66

NANSMIT Monitoring Service