The Firdousi district court in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe imposed a fine on the Paikon weekly in the amount of 300 thousand Somoni (about $69 thousand) for a publication of an article containing criticism against the Tajik State Standard Agency.

Jumaboi Tolibov, editor of Paikon told the NANSMIT monitoring service that the article was published a few months ago. A group of private entrepreneurs expressed concern over a number of decisions made by the Tajik Standard. In their opinion, these decisions create impediments to development of domestic entrepreneurship.

The editor says he considers the court decision groundless and intends to appeal to the city court.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

Kyrgyzstan’s Interior Ministry says that a second suspect is being sought in the 2007 murder of independent journalist Alisher Saipov, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reports.

Interior Ministry spokesman Oljobay Kazybaev told RFE/RL that Abdufarit Rasulov was detained shortly after the killing, and the search for another suspect — identified only as Sharakhmatullaev — was recently launched as the investigation continues.

Last week, the New-York based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called on Kyrgyz authorities to make public the findings of their investigation into Saipov’s murder.

Saipov, 26, was the editor of the local Uzbek-language newspaper «Siyosat» (Politics) and had previously reported for RFE/RL and Voice of America. He was shot dead by an unknown assailant on October 24, 2007, as he left his office in the southern Kyrgyz city of Osh.

Saipov’s colleagues suspect he may have been killed by agents of neighboring Uzbekistan since he often wrote critical articles in Uzbek about the situation in that country.

Kazybaev told RFE/RL last week that the «opinions» about the alleged involvement of Kyrgyz or Uzbek security services into the murder are wrong because the main suspect in Saipov’s killing, Rasulov, has been arrested and his case will begin soon.

But Rasulov’s lawyer, Zina Alymbekova, told RFE/RL that her client never met Saipov and has nothing to do with the crime. She said he only confessed to being involved in the killing under duress and torture during the investigation.

http://www.rferl.org/content/Kyrgyz_Police_Seeking_Second_Suspect_In_Journalists_Killing/1861617.htm

The New-York based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on the Kyrgyz authorities to make public the findings of their investigation into the 2007 murder of an independent journalist in Osh, RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service reports.

Alisher Saipov, the editor of the local Uzbek-language newspaper «Siyosat» (Politics), was shot dead by an unknown assailant on October 24, 2007.

His colleagues suspect that he might have been killed by agents of neighboring Uzbekistan since he wrote in Uzbek about the situation in that country.

However, Kyrgyz Interior Ministry spokesman Oljobay Kazybaev told RFE/RL those allegations are «untrue.»

Kazybaev said the ministry has made «enormous efforts to investigate» Saipov’s killing.

But he said the «opinions» about the alleged involvement of Kyrgyz or Uzbek security services are wrong because a suspect in Saipov’s killing, Abdufarit Rasulov, has been arrested and his case will soon be brought to trial in Osh.

http://www.rferl.org/content/CPJ_Demands_Results_Of_Probe_Of_Kyrgyz_Journalists_Killing/1859438.html

The European Parliament has awarded the 2009 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the Moscow-based Memorial human rights group.

The embattled Memorial is led by activist Oleg Orlov. An activist with the group, Natalya Estemirova, was killed in the North Caucasus in July, and Orlov was sued for libel by Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov for accusing him of involvement in Estemirova’s killing.

The Sakharov Prize was established in 1988, shortly before the death of Soviet physicist, rights activist, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov.

http://www.rferl.org/content/Russias_Memorial_Human_Rights_Group_Wins_Sakharov_Prize/1858225.html

Ethical Standards of Journalism in Tajikistan

Dushanbe, 14 May 2009

Preamble

• The community of journalists in Tajikistan, considering the Freedom of Speech the basis of its activities, understanding its responsibility for ensuring the Freedom of Speech, declare and adopt the following professional and ethical standards for the mass media and journalists. None of these standards is designed to limit the Freedom of Speech.
1. Mission of the media and journalists

• Honesty, objectivity, justice, pluralism, and respect to human rights are he main principles of activities of the mass media and journalists in Tajikistan.

• Guided by these principles, the media and journalists protect the image of the press.

2. Accuracy of information

• The media and journalists must publish various opinions and viewpoints impartially and without any distortion. Publications should contain balanced opinions. Headlines and images must express the essence of the text.

3. Protection of the source of information

• The media and journalists should respect the source of information, and, if needed, to observe the principle of anonymity, i.e. not to make the name of the source public, and to observe professional secrecy.
4. Opinions, facts and allegations

• The media and journalists shall understand the difference between opinions, facts and allegations. Expression of opinion is not subject to investigation.

5. National morality and respect to cultural values

• While covering any topic, the media and journalists shall respect the national distinctive character and culture. They shall avoid promotion of immorality, which can affect the national moral values. Respect to cultural values shall be present in publications.

• The media and journalists shall avoid any humiliation of peoples and ethnic groups, religions and races; they must respect other people’s world view, traditions and customs.

6. Respect to private life

• The media and journalists shall respect privacy of individuals. Publication of information about somebody’s private life is acceptable only with consent of the individual.

• Publication of stories about somebody’s private life without consent of the individual is not acceptable.

7. Protection of honor and dignity

• Humiliation of dignity, obscenities and libel are not acceptable; glorification of individuals, which goes beyond the ethical standards of journalists is not acceptable either.

8. Presumption of innocence

• While preparing a publication covering a criminal case, the media and journalists shall restrain from personal judgment. The media and journalists cannot voice their opinions about the guilt of an individual until it is proven in court.

9. Non-discrimination

• Discrimination on racial, national, religious, political, social and sexual affiliation is not acceptable in the media. The media and journalists shall restrain from pointing at physical imperfections of persons.

10. Inducing materials and protection of rights of minors

• Journalists and the media shall restrain from publishing materials inducing violence, killing and humiliation, as well as other crimes. The media and journalists shall not make public the names of minors in order to protect them.

11. Ways of collecting data

• Illegal receipt of information, images, voices and other materials referring to private life is not acceptable.

12. Inconsistency between creative activities and commercial advertisement

• Professional mission should not be sacrificed for commerce. There are clear distinctions in the media between creative activities and commercial (advertising) activities.

13. Rewards and privileges

• Any reward or privilege limiting free decision of a medium or a journalist are not in compliance with the image and dignity of the media or journalists.
14. Plagiarism
• Plagiarism is an illicit appropriation of a text, image or voice without permission of the original source, which was demonstrated (or presented) as an original. Journalists must respect the labor of their colleagues.

15. Rectification of errors

• The medium must publish apologies and rectify errors if those took place.

16. Professional solidarity

• The media and journalists should observe principles of professional solidarity. Journalists shall restrain from performing tasks, which undermine their professional reputation and social status. Journalists shall not use the media in their mercenary motives or for settling accounts with their colleagues or adversaries.
• Colleagues must support and protect journalists persecuted for their professional activities.

17. Implementation of these norms

In case of non-observance of these norms, any interested party can apply to the Media Council of Tajikistan. Resolutions will be published in the media

NANSMIT

On 3 October the Tajik television celebrated its 50-th anniversary. The most notable period of development was during the years of independence. Along with the State First Channel, there is a State TV Safina, a special news TV channel Jahonnamo and a TV channel for children Bakhoriston. These TV companies were created by the State TV and Radio Committee under the Tajik government.

On the occasion of the jubilee the Tajik National Press Center organized a seminar “Input of the mass media in the process of democratization”.
The Tajik television was founded in 1959. The first TV program contained a three-minute news segment in Tajik and Russian languages. In 1959 the total number of personnel was 54; at present, 350 specialists work for the four Sate TV stations.

In 2006 the Tajik television switched to digital broadcasting. At present, the First Channel covers 97 percent of Tajikistan’s territory; people in Asia and Europe can watch the Tajik programs via the satellite.

Khovar news agency

On 2 October the Tajik Union of Journalists hosted a discussion on creating an independent national Media Council. The meeting was held upon the initiative of the Union of Journalists, the Tajik National Association of Independent Media (NANSMIT), the Tajik National Association of Electronic Media (TAJANESMI), the Tajik Journalists’ Memorial Fund and a number of Tajik media under support of the OSCE Bureau in Dushanbe.

Chairman of NANSMIT Nuriddin Karshibaev stressed that an initiative group started working in May 2009. So far, the group developed and adopted the Ethical Standards for Tajik Journalists. “The next step is the creation of the Media Council – to protect the rights and ensure the freedoms of Tajik journalists. All necessary documents are already developed,” — said Karshibaev. The Council’s draft charter was designed by media experts who consulted experienced legal specialists.

Participants of the meeting came to the conclusion that the draft constituent documents for the Media Council should be published in local newspapers, and the final version must be adopted after wide discussions.
The final meeting of the task force will be held by the end of October.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

In September 2009 the NANSMIT Monitoring Service received 25 reports. Twenty of them describe the factual situation in the media in the light of socio-legal and political environment; two reports describe direct violations of rights of media professionals; and three reports describe conflicts and accusations against the media and journalists.

I. PECULIARITIES OF POLITICAL, SOCIAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL CLIMATE IN THE COUNTRY DEFINING THE FACTUAL SITUATION IN THE MEDIA

1. Public speeches and statements of superior officials defining the factual situation in the mass media

2 September
All media, Dushanbe

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon took part in the ceremony of commissioning of an apartment building. The new dwelling complex was built for employees of the State TV and Radio Committee under the Tajik government. Prior to the opening ceremony Rakhmon laid the first stone in the fundament of another dwelling complex.

23 September
All media, Dushanbe

“The footnote on the last page saying that “the newspaper bears no responsibility for publication” does not exempt the outlet from liability” – said Naim Amirbekov, chairman of the Tajik Lawyers’ Board at a meeting with the media. Amirbekov says that the responsibility can be only established by the court.

26 September
All media, Khatlon province

On 16 July at the session of parliamentarians of Khatlon province chairman of Khatlon Gaibulloi Avzal ordered his subordinates to allocate additional funds for city and district newspapers – so that they would be published on a weekly basis.

However, according to a blitz survey conducted by the NANSMIT monitoring service, among 14 out of 25 city and district newspapers in the province, administrations are reluctant to perform the order. Moreover, many editors and publishers are not even aware of that order.

Experts indicate that most of the newspapers in Khatlon are in “alarming condition”.

2. Evaluation of the factual status of the media and the freedom of speech

2 September
“Student.tj”, Dushanbe

The first issue of a newspaper for youth “Sudent.tj” was published on 31 August, on the eve of the Knowledge Day celebrated in schools and universities. The founder of the new printing outlet is the Charkhi Gardun commercial company.

Akbarali Sattor, director of Charkhi Gardun said that the new weekly will be published in Tajik and Russian languages. He also told the NANSMIT monitoring service that his company is planning to launch a special magazine for creative professionals “The world of music and cinema”.

7 September
Asia Plus Radio, Dushanbe

Radio Asia Plus, one of the first private radio companies in Tajikistan celebrated its seventh anniversary. Asia Plus launched its first broadcast on 9 September 2002.

Asia Plus is an information-entertaining FM radio station broadcasting in Tajik and Russian languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Dushanbe and its suburbs.

9 September
All media, Dushanbe

Several private printing outlets and a few radio companies are celebrating their anniversaries. Among them are Radio Asia Plus, the Bonuvoni Tojikiston magazine, and the SSSR weekly.

Many of the currently operating media had significant problems with licensing, and only due to efforts of the civil society and the international community they managed to succeed.

27 September
Ovozi Gonchi, district newspaper, Sughd province

Festivities on the occasion of the 80-s anniversary of Gonchi district in Sughd province and the 70-s anniversary of the Ovozi Gonchi (The Voice of Gonchi) took place on 27 September.

3. Journalists protecting their civil and professional rights

2 September
Faculty of the Tajik Philology and Journalism, Kulyab State University, Kulyab, Khatlon province

The faculty of Tajik language and literature in the Kulyab State University is transformed into the faculty of Tajik philology and journalism.

There are 19 newly enrolled students, out of whom more than 70 percent are girls. The university administration hired several new professors, and, in it is planned to involve experienced media professionals for both curricular and extracurricular activities in the future.

Journalism is becoming popular in Kulyab. Recently 14 young people have passed a six-month practical training at the local newspaper Pazhvok. The project was supported by the US-based NGO Urban Institute and funded by USAID.

15 September
All media

Within the framework of the project “Mobilization of the media in Central Asia to protect the rights of women and children” journalists from printing and electronic media produced 16 feature stories, 12 radio programs and 4 documentaries. These works cover various aspects of life among women and children in Central Asia.

The produced materials were evaluated by the BBC Trust Fund, local and foreign media consultants. Young journalists received practical support from their experienced colleagues.

15 September
All media

Dushanbe hosted the final conference on the project “Mobilization of the media in Central Asia to protect the rights of women and children”. The project was implemented under support of the BBC Trust Fund jointly with international and local experts and financial support of the European Commission. The conference was attended by representatives of the Tajik media community, leaders of NGOs working in the sphere of women and child rights.

15 September
Public Unit Khoma, Dushanbe

The public organization Khoma has launched a new TV show “Tavozun” (Balance) at the State TV company Safina. The program is being produced within the framework of the project “Central Asia Invest” of the European Union and the project “Enhancing professional skills and public influence of Tajik business associations” implemented by Internews Europe. The project is targeted to improving business environment in Tajikistan through support of entrepreneurship and better coverage of business topics in the local mass media.

17 September
Imruz, private radio company, Dushanbe

On 17 September private radio company Imruz launched its broadcasting in the northern Sughd province of Tajikistan. Rustami Joni, director of the radio company said that so far it could broadcast only in the capital, although it has its correspondents in other parts of the country.

Now, Radio Imruz also covers the cities of Khujand, Chkalovsk, and Bobojongafurov district of Sughd province. The Oriono Media company, which owns Radio Imruz invested $15 thousand for the expansion of its broadcasting.

22 September
All media, Dushanbe

The 7 Central Asia Festival of Ecological Journalism was opened on 22 September in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe.

The festival is organized under support of state, international and public organizations. The five countries of Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan – presented their media works.

The contest within the framework of the Festival covers media works presented by TV companies, radio stations and printing outlets on the following topics: biodiversity, transboundary water issues, climate change and ecological tourism.

II. VIOLATION OF RIGHTS IN THE MEDIA

1. Impediments to professional activities in the media

3 September
Kulyab city television, Kulyab, Khatlon province

Journalist of the Kulyab city television Khudoyor Valiev was beaten by Karakhon Makhmudov, an official from the Khatlon province education department. The behavior of the official was discussed at an official meeting. Mr. Makhmudiov is an elderly person; in this regard, he received only a public censure for his dishonorable behavior.

2. Violation of economic rights of a medium

3 September
Radio Imruz, Dushanbe

Radio Imruz has renewed its broadcasting after a long recess. Broadcasting was stopped by a technical service under the Tajik Ministry of Transport and Communications, which discovered disrepair in the company’s transmitter.

III. CONFLICTS. VIOLATIONS INCRIMINATED TO THE MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS

1. Claim for protection of honor, dignity and business reputation affected by publication of certain data

3 September
Private newspaper Paikon, Dushanbe

The Supreme Court of Tajikistan considers that the article titled “Came from Israel to look for justice published in the Paikon weekly on 11 June 2009 is unsubstantiated.

The article described trials between a woman who came from Israel to resolve her claims on private property in Dushanbe. The Supreme Court, referring to statements made by experts, and court hearings made arrived to a decision that the publication is unsubstantiated.

2 September
Farazh weekly, Dushanbe

Editor of the Farazh newspaper received a letter from chairman of the Istravshan city court in response to an article titled “Lynch-law in Istravshan”, criticizing judicial proceedings in the court.

Chairman of the court complains that the publication is biased and superficial; the author interviewed only an attorney of the defendant and his relatives, who are not properly familiar with the case.

9 September
Private newspaper Paikon, Dushanbe

The State Finance Control and Anticorruption Agency considers that the public appeal of a group of entrepreneurs to President Rakhmon published by Paikon weekly on 22 July 2009 is unsubstantiated and unlawful.

The Agency required publication of refutation in response to the article, which – in their opinion – “contain wrong information, and defames honor and dignity of the Agency”.

This report is based on compiled materials from the media and private information presented by correspondents of the NANSMIT Monitoring Network

Coordinator of the Monitoring Service
Abdufattokh Vokhidov

Project Manager
Nuriddin Karshibayev

On 22 September chairman of the Tajik Bar Association Naim Amirbekov had a meeting with Tajik journalists. The meeting was held within the framework of the project “Support to Tajik Independent Media” being implemented by the Tajik National Association of Independent Mass Media (NANSMIT) under support of the US-based non-governmental organization National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

Mr. Amirbekov touché upon the issue of responsibility for mistakes in publications. Usually, newspapers make references to a note on the last page saying that “the editing board bears no responsibility for published materials”. “This does not disembarrass the newspaper from responsibility”, — said Amirbekov. — “Only the court can establish the responsibility for mistakes – deliberate or unintentional”.

The lawyer also made a reference to Article 30 of the Tajik law “On printing and other mass media”, which says that prior to publishing an article, the journalist should check and analyze all data and facts.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service

On 17 September the Tajik private radio company Imruz opened its affiliate in Sughd province of Tajikistan.

The founder of Radio Imruz is the company Oriyono Media Ltd. From 2002 to 2005 Oriyono Media rebroadcast programs of “Russkoe Radio” (Russian Radio). On 15 August 2007 the company launched its own radio station – Radio Imruz.

Up to quite a recent time, Radio Imruz was available only in Dushanbe and its suburbs; however, the company has its correspondents in Sughd province, in Khatlon, in Rasht valley and in Gorno Badakhshan.

Since 17 September Radio Imruz has been broadcasting in Khujand and Chkalovsk and in Bobojon Gafurov district of Sughd province.

Director of the radio company Rustam Joni says that Imruz is a commercial information medium. The company invested $15 thousand to expand the broadcasting coverage, and it will keep allocating additional funds in Sughd province to further improve the quality of its broadcasting.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service