98 percent of Tajikistan’s population have access to electronic media

Currently, there are nine State broadcasting entities, eighteen private production studios, and six private radio companies. This data was presented by Barakatullo Abdulfaizov, head of the legal and human resource policy department under the State TV and Radio Committee at a workshop “Tajik copyright legislation and its practical implementation”.

The workshop was organized by the State TV and Radio Committee under the Government of Tajikistan, and by the Tajik Ministry of Culture. The goal of the event was to tell the participants about the Tajik legislation on copyright and allied rights, and to exchange opinions on relevant legal problems.

In particular, the participants discussed the issues of remuneration to freelance journalists and producers working for domestic TV and radio companies.

Abdulfaizov explained that, according to the legislation, there are three types of honoraria: the author’s honorarium, the artistic honorarium (for stage directors), and the honorarium for freelancers. The amount and terms of the author’s honorarium are established by the parties in an agreement (contract). As for the use of TV and radio products, it is discussed on the basis of a bilateral agreement between the TV and Radio Committee and the production studio.

Regrettably, TV and radio companies – both the State and the private ones – are still using pirate media products without any permission from the government body. Some individuals produce and disseminate unlicensed products. The government bodies carry out special raids; however, these measures prove to be insufficient. The participants of the workshop suggested to study the problem more thoroughly, and simplify the process of licensing for those involved in production of video and audio commodities. The participants also supported the idea of organizing similar workshops in the country regions.

http://www.khovar.tj/

OSCE Center in Dushanbe presented a study on feasibility of Tajikistan’s printing media

Rukhshona Najmiddinova, the OCSE Center’s public relations assistant said that the assessment of the cost of production of local newspapers was conducted within the framework of a wider study in order to analyze main obstacles for printing media in the country.

”Our goal is to create an information base for public officials responsible for the media, and provide them with recommendations on strengthening financial sustainability of Tajik newspapers, — said Michail Unland, the OSCE Center’s media advisor. — The more stable are the newspapers, the better is the information they give to readers”.

Mirsaid Sultonov, the author of the study says that very few newspapers in Tajikistan are profitable; the rest of them struggle to survive. “Many of the media managers have journalistic backgrounds, but they lack managerial skills”, — said Sultonov.

According to the study, the main reasons of cost-inefficiency are high production costs and inability to attract advertisers. “Many of the government newspapers solve these problems by means of State subsidies and forced subscription campaigns – also supported by the government”, — says the study.

There are no daily newspapers in Tajikistan, and most printing outlets have only up to three thousand copies, which means the lack of access to the printing media.

For a more thorough and detailed study, the OSCE Center in Dushanbe is going to convene a meeting of editors and managers of Tajik newspapers. The meeting is scheduled for January 2008.

http://www.asiaplus.tj/

The Tajik National Association of Independent Media (NANSMIT) reregistered in the Ministry of Justice

On 21 December 2007, Nuriddin Karshibaev, chairman of NANSMIT received a certificate on registration of the NGO he is heading from the Ministry of Justice. Davlat Sulaimonov, head of the State Registration of Public Units and Political Parties under the Ministry handed the certificate to Nuriddin Karshibaev and wished success to his NGO that strengthens democratic institutions by means of developing independent media in the country.

Karshibaev thanked the Ministry officials for timely preparation of documents for registration. “We look forward to further fruitful cooperation in the name of development of the civil society in Tajikistan”, — said Karshibaev.

The process of registration of public units in Tajikistan commenced in August 2007, in accordance with the requirements of the new Law “On Public Units” endorsed on 12 May 2007. Re-registration will continue until 1 January 2008. Activities of public organizations that failed to reregister until the established term will be terminated according to the legislation.

NANSMIT Monitoring service

On 13 December, after a two-month recess, the Firdavsi district court in Dushanbe recommenced hearings on the criminal case of Saida Kurbanova, editor of “Ovoza” weekly and two correspondents – Mukhayo Nozimova and Farangis Nabieva

In mid October, at the beginning of investigation in court, the attorney of defendants Inoyat Inoyatov expressed distrust to the expert opinions performed by specialists of the Institute of Language under the Tajik Academy of Sciences and presented to the court. Taking into consideration the statement made by the attorney, Chairman of the hearing, Judge Akbar Safarov assumed a decision to send the text of the article titled “Raikhona pi-pi-pi… Afghanistan” published in the newspaper “Ovoza” on 21 June 2007 for a secondary consideration of a linguistic commission in order to receive a more objective assessment.

Upon the accomplishment of the first day of hearings, editor of the Tajik newspaper “Farazh” Khurshedi Niyoz informed the audience that according to the new linguistic assessment, the article contains criticism, but contains no words defaming honor and human dignity.

However, the Judge decided to invite the members of the linguistic commission, and the hearing was postponed.

The journalists of “Ovoza” are accused of violation of three articles of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code: Article 135, part two (libel in public speeches and publications); Article 136, part two (insult in public speeches and publications); and Article 144 (unlawful collection and dissemination of information on private life).

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

A two-day workshop started on 12 December in Dushanbe. The training covers the issues of access to official information and incentives for efficient cooperation between authorities and journalists

Organizers of the workshop are the OSCE Center in Tajikistan and the Tajik President’s Office.

“Political will of officials, provision of access to information, professionalism and sense of responsibility of the media stimulate the development of the society.” — said Vladimir Pryakhin, head of the OSCE Center in Dushanbe.
“The State guarantees equal rights on access to and dissemination of information.” – noted Saidmurod Fattoyev, State Advisor to the President on Social Development and Public Relations.

More than 30 participants took part in the workshop among whom there were journalists and representatives of the government press services. International and local experts conducted training sessions on legal and ethical principles of cooperation between the authorities and the media, and the global principles of access to information. The participants also discussed the main problems of communication between the government representatives and journalists.

In 2005, the OSCE Center in Dushanbe launched several training programs targeted to strengthening of relations between the State bodies and journalists.

http://www.toptj.com/

A well known expert on international journalism, Professor Peter Gross had a meeting with representatives of local and foreign media on 11 December in Dushanbe.

Speaking about freedom of speech in America, Peter Gross noted in particular that “the freedom of speech” is guaranteed by the US Constitution. It is one of the basic rights, and any attempt to introduce “a preliminary limitation on the freedom of expression” is certainly seen as unconstitutional. The law obliges the US public officials to share information with the media. Professor Gross made a reference to a recent case of concealment of information, which led to a dismissal of one US official from his post, whereas another official was brought to criminal responsibility. Professor Gross stressed that the independent media is one of the most important elements of democratic society.

Mr. Gross also noted that the US journalists also have their own problems – mainly economic and professional. Speaking of opportunities of establishing a media outlet by private individuals in the US, he said that a lot depends on availability of funds and intentions of founders, as well as on the thematic context of the medium. “However, the media should have their own segments of audience, — said Gross, — They should be interesting; and most importantly – in professional respect – journalists should be properly trained.

Inter Press Service

Subscription 2008

Saodat Karimova, representative of the Ainy district post office told NANSMIT correspondent that by 7 December 2007 the number of subscribers to local newspapers was 3,262.

According to a preliminary opinion poll conducted in the area, the most popular among the available printing outlets is the newspaper “Omuzgor” published by the Ministry of Education. It will have 391 subscribers in 2008. “Minbari Khalk”, the People-Democratic Party’s official printing body has the second position – 250 subscribers. The government weekly “Jumkhuriyat” has 229 readers. The parliamentary newspaper “Sadoi Mardum” has 181 subscribers. And the newspaper belonging to the local administration of Ainy district has 323 subscribers.

“Zarafshon Times” news agency informed NANSMIT that some subscribers complained about an “involuntarily subscription” planned by the local authorities – i.e. citizens were approached by officials who came up with a list of newspapers demanding subscription from the residents.

Mr. O. Khalil, a teacher of a local school says that his monthly salary is only 120 Somoni (about $35). “I don’t know what newspaper I’ve been subscribed to, — he says. — However, they have deducted 45 Somoni for subscription from my September salary”.

Nevertheless, officials from the Ainy district post office say that some people voluntarily subscribe to Tajik periodicals.

Inter Press Service

The public unit “Center for Development of Democracy” provides an opportunity for organizations working in the sphere of strengthening of civil society to publish materials promoting their. Materials will be published on non-commercial basis. This initiative is supported by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the Tajik weekly “Business and Politics”.

The goal of the project is to promote activities of the civil sector. In this regard, we kindly ask you to send your materials and photographs to the following address: DDC-07@mail.ru
Your material and pictures will be published in “Business and Politics”.

We also announce a contest on the best photograph, sketch and photograph on the topic “Civil Society and Us”. There are no limitations for participation. Winners will get awards.

“Center for Development of Democracy”

Vose district has become the first among the ten district of Khatlon province that appeared in the global Internet network

Safarali Mirzoev, student of the Kulyab State University and designer of the web site told NANSMIT Monitoring Service that he was assisted in his endeavors by ІАТР program funded by USAID and administered by International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX).

Mirzoev says that the content of the web page will be renewed on a monthly basis, and materials will be published in Tajik language. The first information launched on the web site is the history of Vose district, an introductory speech by the district chairman, Alamurod Tagaimorodov, and social-economic news.

The web page is located at the following address: www.vose.freenet.tj

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

According to Nazira Raimkulova, trainer-consultant from Kyrgyzstan, the workshop was dedicated to newspaper marketing and management techniques.

The workshop lasted for two days. Media professionals gained some survival skills in market conditions. Participants discussed such issues as strategies and structures of sales, human resource management, operative sales management, etc.

A similar workshop has been recently held in Khujand for local TV managers.

http://www.varorud.org/