Contest on the best coverage of creative initiatives in the media is launched in Dushanbe

Shavkat Saidov, press secretary of the Mayor of Dushanbe told Asia Plus correspondent that the contest was launched at the recently held XII session of the city authorities.

The year of 2008 is declared “The Year of Creative Initiatives”, and before the 1-st of February, the Tajik media can publish articles on this topic.

The winner will get a reward in the amount of 3,5 thousand Somoni.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/

Tajik parliament develops a draft law on access to information

On 30 December, the Tajik Parliamentarian Committee on International Affairs, Public Organizations and Information held a round table in Dushanbe on the necessity of reforms in the Law “On printing and other mass media”. Olim Salimzoda, chairman of the Parliamentarian Committee says that the necessity of development of a new draft law is based on numerous reports in the domestic media on the lack of access to public information and the reluctance of authorities and ministerial officials to share information with journalists.

Speaking about the contents of the new draft law, Salimzoda said that the new document indicates the timeframes within which information should be provided to the media upon their requests.

“The amended law will contain special provisions guaranteeing provision of publicly important information not only to the media, but also to any applicants, — said Salimzoda. — Besides that, there are certain provisions in the law concerning the representatives in every government institution in charge of public information”.

Among the participants of the round table that was held in the Tajik Union of Journalists were representatives of the Parliament, the President’s Office, the Tajik National Association of Independent Media (NANSMIT), the Tajik National Press Center, the Tajik Media Alliance, and other public organizations.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/

On 29 December, Tajik media organizations held a round table where they discussed the necessity of amendments to the media legislation. The event was initiated by the Tajik National Association of Independent Media, and attended by representatives of the Tajik Union of Journalists, the National Press Center, the Tajik Media Alliance, the Tajik Parliament, the President’s Office, and public organizations.

Akbarali Sattorov, chairman of the Tajik Union of Journalists told the participants about the necessity of reforms in the Law “On printing and other mass media”. Nuriddin Karshibayev, chairman of NANSMIT stressed that Tajik media experts have been working on proposals on amendments to the media law for several months. The initiators set up a working group comprising well-known Tajik journalists and lawyers. The current version of the Law “On printing and other mass media” was endorsed on 14 December 1990.

Karshibayev said that the law has been amended several times (in 1992, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2002); however, the law needs new changes in order to be in compliance with the new realities. Ibrohim Usmonov, a well-known Tajik scholar told the participants about the activities of the working group, and the shortcomings in the existing media legislation. Usmonov said that the Tajik Law “On printing and other mass media” meets the international standards, but still, some provisions in the Law should be improved.

In particular, Usmanov touched upon the articles of the law concerning the registration of the media in several government bodies. Professor also underlined the significant social and political changes that have taken place since the endorsement of the existing law, i.e. new types of media have emerged, such as the Internet outlets, etc. Besides that, the Tajik media have changed essentially.

Olim Salimzoda, deputy chairman of the Parliamentarian Committee on International Affairs, Public Organizations and Information said that the Tajik Parliament is ready to consider the proposals presented by the working group.

Participants of the round table expressed a unanimous opinion that the reformation of the Tajik media legislation is timely and necessary. The Tajik legislation should be brought into sync with international standards by means of joint efforts of the Parliament, the Government and the public.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

Necessity of changes in the media legislation to be discussed in Dushanbe

On 29 December, Tajik media organizations will discuss the necessity of amendments and changes in the Law “On printing and other mass media”.

Nuriddin Karshibaev, chairman of the Tajik National Association of Independent Media (NANSMIT) told Asia Plus correspondent that the media organizations are going to convene a round table. Among the organizers of the discussion are the Tajik Union of Journalists, NANSMIT, the National Press Center, the Tajik Media Alliance, and other public organizations and human rights watchdogs.

It is expected that among the speakers will be Akbarali Sattarov, chairman of the Union of Journalists, Mukhiddin Kabiri, chairman of the Tajik Islamic Renaissance Party, Saidmurod Fattoev, State Advisor to the President, and Professor Ibrahim Usmonov.

“In October 2007, we set up a working group in order to develop proposals on amendments to the media law, — said Karshibaev. — The group comprises well-known Tajik media professionals and lawyers”. Professor Usmanov will make a presentation on the working group’s outcomes, and the lawyer Farrukhsho Junaidov will present comments on legal issues.

The Law “On printing and other mass media” was endorsed on 14 December 1990. Amendments to the Law have been made several times – in 1992, 1996, 1997, 1999 and 2002.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/

Freedom House says the situation in the sphere of the Tajik mass media has deteriorated.

Tajikistan has the 166-th position in the traditional rating of Freedom of Speech annually published by the US-based human rights watchdog Freedom House.

The recent report of this organization contains outcomes of an assessment conducted in 195 countries around the globe. All countries are divided into three categories – “free” “relatively free” and “not free”.

Freedom House placed Tajikistan in the group of “not free” judging the number of points, which the country has to gain in terms of political and civil freedoms. Tajikistan received 6 points for political freedom, and 5 points for civil freedom. The “free” countries are those who gain 1-2 points; the “relatively free” get 3-5 points; and “not free” receive 6-7 points. According to the report, the worst situation is in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

In the last year report, Tajikistan was at the 165-th position, which meas that the situation has deteriorated.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/

The U.S. Embassy IN DUSHANBE requests PROJECT proposals for the 2008 DEMOCRACY COMMISSION SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: January 7, 2008

The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe announces a new request for proposals under the 2008 Democracy Commission Small Grants Program. The purpose of the program is to award small grants for specific projects that support the development of democratic institutions in Tajikistan. Primarily, grants will be awarded to non-governmental, non-profit organizations (NGOs). The amount of a grant must not be more than 12, 000 dollars but the Commission will give priority to the applications that offer the implementation of the similar project with lower budget. To be eligible for consideration, every applicant must be engaged in, or propose to carry out, a project whose purpose is to promote the development of democratic institutions in Tajikistan. The Democracy Commission Small Grants Program has existed in Tajikistan since 2001.

The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe will accept proposals for consideration of the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program for the following themes:

§ Fostering a Strong and Independent Media
§ Human Rights including Religious Freedom, children’s rights; women rights, etc.
§ Fighting TIP;
§ Respect for the Rule of Law including anti-corruption awareness; transparency in government; etc.
§ Increasing Environmental Awareness including use of alternative sources of energy;

Proposals must be received no later than January 7, 2007. Proposals should contain clearly formulated goals and target groups, and show the ability of the applying organization to carry out the project aims. Proposals should be submitted in English or in Tajik/Russian languages with an English translation to:

U.S. Embassy, Public Affairs Section

109 A Ismoili Somoni Avenue

Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Tel: (992 37) 229 2315, 229 2000, fax: (992 37) 229 2050

Email: kadirovak@state.gov,

Contact person: Abdumalik Kadirov

Note: Projects with a computer based English translation will not be accepted.

The U.S. Embassy Democracy Commission Grant Program is limited to organizations based in Tajikistan. Projects NOT funded by the U.S. Embassy Democracy Commission Program include those requested by non-Tajikistani organizations, those relating to partisan political activity, charitable activity and humanitarian aid, fund-raising campaigns, commercial projects, those involving individuals not affiliated with an organization that can provide long-term sustainability to the project, and those that duplicate existing projects.

Grant application forms are available on our web site http://dushanbe.usembassy.gov/demcom.html. They can also be obtained in the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe or by email. If you have additional questions or need consultation on your project proposal please contact the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy by the numbers above on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 to 12:00.

US Embassy to Tajikistan

On 24 June, in Dushanbe, Tajik parliamentarians discussed proposals on changes and amendments to the law of the republic of Tajikistan “On elections to Majlisi Oli (parliament)”. The working group works on the implementation of a project “Professional assistance and reforming of elections in Tajikistan”.

Members of the working group – parliamentarians, representatives of political parties, political experts – discussed proposals on amendments to this law. Participants noted that the Tajik law on elections to the parliament does not meet requirements regarding international observers, access to protocols of election commissions, increase in the number of parliamentarians, etc.

Shokirjon Khakimov, deputy chairman of Tajikistan’s Social Democratic Party says that his party came up with draft amendments to 33 articles of the law. “The essence of our proposals reduces to ensuring independence of the system of elections, — said Khakinov. — The proposed amendments would guarantee fair representation of all political parties in the parliament and in election commissions. They allow to establish precise timeframes for consideration of complaints; to increase the number of parliamentarians in order to represent all social groups and regions of Tajikistan”.

The meeting was also attended by Tigran Karapatian, expert of the International Fund of Election Systems (IFES) in Tajikistan, who told the participants about the project’s goals and the tasks for the working group.

Inter Press Service

University in Khorog received textbooks on journalism

The Tajik branch of the Open Society Institute (OSI) and the Tajik public foundation Pamir delivered 80 different titles of textbooks on journalism to the university in Khorog, the administrative center of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province (GBAO).

OSI delivered 140 textbooks on journalism to the University library. The public foundation Pamir added 60 textbooks to this donation. Kurbon Alamshoev, head of the public foundation says that the textbooks were purchased from the authors most of whom are teachers and professors of Tajik and Russian universities and scientific institutions. The textbooks will help future journalists to improve their professional skills.

At the beginning of 2007, OSI donated more than 400 textbooks to the university in Khorog.

The Department of Journalism and Tajik Philology was founded at the University of Khorog in 2006. More than 60 students are currently studying in this Department.

Pamir Media

Ten journalists are acknowledged best sports commentators in 2007

According to the Tajik National Olympic Committee, the Tajik Association of Sportscasters defined ten best journalists covering sports events. These are a well known sportscaster Narzullo Latipov, Khurshedi Jovid (correspondent of Asia Plus weekly), Ali Sharipov and Rakhmatsho Obidov (sportscasters of the Tajik National TV), Zarrina Abdulvokhidova (correspondent of Persian service of the Tajik Radio), Bobo Rasoulzoda (sportscaster of Minbari Khalk weekly), Mirzosafar Shamsiddionov (freelance journalist), Saiido Nazarov (Khovar news agency), Emomi Nazariyon (Javononi Tojikiston weekly), and Jamila Khusieinova (Charkhi Gardun weekly).

The Olympic Committee officials told NANSMIT that the best sportscasters will receive certificates and special awards of the National Lympic Committee and the Sportscasters’ Association.

NANSMIT Monitoring service

Head of the regional office of the Iranian Humanitarian Fund “Imdod”, Abdugaffor Solehov provided financial assistance in the amount of $400 to Said Oripov, a person with physical disabilities, resident of Tugarak village, Vose district, so that Oripov would spend this money to fix the roof of his house.

NANSMIT monitoring service established that this noble act had nothing to do with the good will of A. Solekhov. The disabled villager received assistance from Akhmad Ibragimov, a freelance journalist from Kulyab.

Said Oripov is a first group invalid, resident of Tugarak village. He lives in a mud hut together with his wife and a five-year old daughter, who are also disabled. When the roof of his mud house started leaking, Oripov’s neighbor provided the poor family with plastic sheeting; however, the thin film protected them only from chilling wind. Oripov applied to the Imdod Fund, and the officials gave an order to provide the applicant with $400.

Under various excuses, the person could not receive the money until Ahmad Ibragimov, a local journalist working for Khatol Press news agency made this fact public. The journalist was reproached for “washing dirty clothes at home”, “beating the good-doers”, etc.; however, the disabled man eventually received the money and fixed the roof of his house.

22.12.2007
NANSMIT Monitoring service

NANSMIT Monitoring service