Student journalists worldwide can register for a free, one-year membership to an online writing portfolio Web site that they can use to show off their writing and demonstrate their web savvy to potential employers.
Writer’s Residence, an online portfolio Web site for writers, is offering the memberships to university and college students with a legitimate school-provided e-mail address.

Writer’s Residence allows writers to create an online writing portfolio that hosts their writing samples, resume/CV, contact details and Web site.

Students can sign up at https://writersresidence.com/signup. When the year is up, subscriptions cost US$8.29 per month.

A five-year-old online safety network for journalists reporting on conflict, crime and corruption, natural disasters and disease recently launched a revamped Web site.

The International News Safety Institute (INSI) says its site is a resource «for all journalists and other news professionals everywhere, staff or freelance, international or local, who may face danger in any circumstances at any time.»

The site allows journalists to access INSI’s safety resources as well as find out if an assignment is based in a trouble zone. It also features constantly updated news and features related to risk awareness, safety health and training.

For more information, contact Rodney Pinder at rodney.pidner@newssafety.org or Sarah de Jong at sarah.dejong@newssafety.org.

To access the site, go to http://www.newssafety.org.

https://www.ijnet.org/ijnet/training_opportunities/international_news_safety_institute_launches_new_

As another winter of discontent looms in Tajikistan, President Imomali Rahmon’s administration is feeling heat. In response, embattled Tajik officials are lashing out against perceived enemies.

Tajiks struggled to endure last winter’s shortages of electricity and food. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. The indicators for the coming winter are looking similarly ominous. For example, officials have already predicted that this year’s grain harvest will fall by roughly 30 percent over the 2007 level, due to drought conditions and widespread pest infestations. A potential second consecutive winter of severe hardships could place Rahmon’s regime on very thin ice.

Aware of its precarious position, the Rahmon administration is evidently trying to carry out preventive strikes against selected political opponents. One such figure is Dodojon Atovullo, the exiled editor of the opposition newspaper Charogi Rouz (Daylight). According to a recent article published by the Russian daily Vremya Novostei, the Tajik Interior Ministry’s Organized Crime Control Unit has renewed an effort to prosecute the editor for anti-state activities. Authorities allege that the 53-year-old Atovullo, who works mainly in Moscow, is guilty of disseminating «insulting accusations against the President and members of the government» and is promoting «the violent overthrow of the constitutional order in Tajikistan.»

Atovullo has lived in exile since 1992. The newspaper that he edits has appeared irregularly in recent years. But Atovullo’s announcement that he was assuming the leadership of the Vatandor (Patriot) Party aroused the Rahmon administration’s ire.

Tajik officials have long been interested in muzzling Atovullo, but Moscow had not been receptive to the idea of shipping him back to Dushanbe — at least until very recently. Conditions have changed dramatically in the weeks following Russia’s incursion into Georgia, the Vremya Novostei article suggested. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Seeking as much diplomatic support as possible for its diplomatic positions in the Caucasus and Central Asia, Russia now seems much more interested in making sure Rahmon is happy.

Observers in Moscow have noted that, to date, the Tajik government has remained silent on Russia’s decision to recognize the independence of the separatist territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Dushanbe’s reticence could be a ploy to extract maximum political and economic benefits from the Kremlin.

As reported by the Tajik news website Nansmit (www.nansmit.tj), Atovullo told Russian journalists that the initiation of the criminal case against him «became possible after the meeting between the Tajik President Imomali Rahmon and the head of the Kremlin administration Sergei Naryshkin» in mid September. While the two certainly could have touched upon the subject of nettlesome dissenters, the Rahmon-Naryshkin talks in Dushanbe on September 17 focused on the development of joint Tajik-Russian hydropower projects, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.

Russian media outlets say the Kremlin is giving serious consideration to granting Dushanbe’s request to extradite Atovullo. If handed over to Tajik authorities, the opposition editor could face up to a 25-year jail term.

In 2001, Atovullo was detained in Moscow by Russian law enforcement officials, who were acting on a request by Dushanbe. A couple of days later, though, the editor was released and the Russian prosecutor-general’s office refused to press the case. Later, the Tajik prosecutor general’s office closed the case against Atovullo.

Last June, Atovullo caught the attention of Rahmon administration officials with a call for widespread civil disobedience in Tajikistan, with the aim of forcing incumbent authorities from power. Shortly thereafter, Tajik Prosecutor-General Bobojon Bobokhonov denounced Atovullo as «a criminal and information terrorist,» adding that his office would again seek to prosecute the editor.

Atovullo has expressed fear that instead of facing extradition via normal legal channels, he could be «kidnapped,» in other words possibly secreted back to Dushanbe by Tajik security officials, with the Kremlin’s knowledge and acquiescence.

There would appear to be a precedent for such action — a 2005 incident involving Makhmadruzi Iskandarov, the leader of the Tajik opposition Democratic Party, who mysteriously disappeared in Moscow in April 2005 only to show up a few weeks later in Dushanbe in official custody. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Posted September 29, 2008 © Eurasianet
http://www.eurasianet.org

EurasiaNet

Источник: http://eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav092908a.shtml

The Templeton-Cambridge Journalism Fellowships in Science & Religion invites accomplished print, broadcast and online journalists to apply for its 2009 program, which will take place in June and July, 2009. Deadline to apply: December 15.

The annual fellowship program aims to promote a deeper understanding and a more informed public discussion of the «creative interface of science and religion,» according to the organizers.

Ten chosen journalists will study issues of science and religion, including three weeks of seminars at the University of Cambridge in the U.K. Fellows will be paid US$15,000 in addition to a book allowance and travel expenses.

Applicants must demonstrate an interest in the field, originality of thought, and a superior record of journalistic achievement.

The awards are open to journalists, writers, and editors, including freelancers, with a minimum of three years’ experience; priority will be given to mid-career and senior journalists.

For more information, go to http://www.templeton-cambridge.org.

https://www.ijnet.org/ijnet/training_opportunities/journalism_fellowships_to_focus_on_intersection_o

A four-week online course being offered by Poynter’s NewsU from October 27 to November 21 aims to help journalists tell the stories of different cultures, communities and individuals more accurately and thoroughly.

The course, titled “Telling Untold Stories: Reporting Across Cultures,» will cover topics including: Why and how diversity plays an important role; how to find and report on stories in under-covered communities; how to conduct difficult interviews; multimedia storytelling; and how to pitch stories to an editor.

The online group seminar format will allow students multiple ways of learning, including readings, discussions, one-on-one coaching, live group sessions, interactive activities, etc.

The course costs US$249.

To learn more and to register, go to http://www.newsu.org/courses/course_detail.aspx?id=nwsu_rac08.
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https://www.ijnet.org/ijnet/training_opportunities/online_course_to_help_journalists_report_across_c

On November 5 and 6, attendees of the South East Europe Media Forum (SEEMF) in Sofia, Bulgaria, will explore topics related to the theme «Media and Democracy in South East Europe: Professional Standards and Education of Journalists.»

More than 150 participants are expected to attend, including editors-in-chief, media executives and representatives from media education centers and university schools of communication and media in South East and Central Europe.

It is being organized by the WAZ Medien Gruppe, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) and South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO).

To learn more contact info@seemo.org or visit http://www.seemo.org/content/view/50/1/.

Journalists in Azerbaijan will soon be wearing press vests to help them be identifiable as members of the media during social events and protests, thanks to the Azerbaijani NGO the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety (IRFS).

On September 20, IRFS began unveiling 105 special press vests made from high-quality reflective material. The vests have «PRESS» printed on both sides, and are likely to come into action before Azerbaijan’s presidential elections on October 15.

Five of the vests have been given to IRFS employees, 10 are for foreign journalists, and the rest will be distributed to editorial offices. The vests were made with support from the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX).

For more info, go to http://www.irfs.az/content/view/1295/28/lang,eng/.
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https://www.ijnet.org/ijnet/training_opportunities/vests_for_journalists_unveiled_in_azerbaijan_

The Tajik prosecutor general office initiated a criminal case against Dodjon Atovullo, a well-known Tajik journalist living in emigration in Russia

The Tajik Interior Ministry’s Organized Crime Control Unit stated that “…the editor of the Charogi Rouz (Daylight) newspaper has been publishing articles containing insulting accusations against the President and members of the government”. Dodojon Atovullo, a 53-year old journalist is also accused of “public appeals to violent overthrow of the constitutional order in Tajikistan”.

The Russian newspaper Vremia Novostei has published an article about Atovullo, a graduate of the Moscow State University. Since 1992, he has been living in exile abroad. He works mainly in Moscow, where he publishes – although irregularly – an opposition newspaper Charogi Rouz (the outlet initially was published in Dushanbe in 1991).

Allegedly, the main Atovullo’s adversary is Bobojon Bobokhonov, prosecutor general of Tajikistan. In February 2007, Atovullo declared himself the leader of the Vatandor (Patriot) opposition movement.

Atovullo told Russian journalists that “the initiation of the criminal against him has become possible after the meeting between the Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon and the head of the Kremlin administration Sergey Naryshkin alst week”. Atovullo asserts that last year, when Naryshkin was the vice-premier of the Russian government, Rakhmon was complaining to him during his visit to Dushanbe. Allegedly, the issue of extradition of Atovullo was discussed on the level of the Russian Security Council. However, Moscow did not respond on that request.

The Russian media speculates that after the recent development in Caucasus, Moscow has changed its stance on “possible extradition of the Tajik oppositionist” since the Tajik President has made no public statements in support of the Russian operation against Georgia and acknowledgment of independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The Russian media also say that Atovullo is facing a 25-year term, and the intentions of the tajik authorities this time are quite serious. In 2001, the journalist was detained in Moscow by the Russian law enforcement agencies upon the request from Dushanbe. A couple of days later, he was released, and the Russian prosecutor general’s office refused to extradite him. Later, the Tajik prosecutor general closed the case against Atovullo.

Allegedly, the new case is related to Atovullo’s recent calling to overthrow the incumbent President Emomali Rakhmon by means of actions of civil disobedience. According to Atovullo, Tajikistan is degrading under the current Rakhmon’s regime. After these statements made by Atovullo at the press conference held in Moscow in June 2008, the Tajik prosecutor general Bobojon Bobokhonov called the journalist “a criminal and information terrorist”. The official promised that his agency will take all efforts to detain the oppositionist regardless of where he is.

Atovullo has always expressed concern and even fear about the attitude of the Russian authorities’ attitude to his activities and statements against Rakhmon’s regime. He used to say that “the Russian authorities have “given me up” in exchange for some business preferences; otherwise, why would they call up a pompous press conference in Dushanbe declaring the initiation of a case against me?”

The oppositionist is confident that Dushanbe has received “consent” from Moscow for his “neutralization”. If Atovullo’s allegations are correct, the Tajik special services need only a “go-ahead’ from Moscow to carry out an operation on his detention in Russia.

A similar case occurred in 2005, when Makhmadruzi Iskandarov, the leader of the Tajik opposition Democratic party was detained in the Korolyov city near Moscow and clandestinely deported to Dushanbe.

NANSMIT

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is using the occasion of today’s European Union-Central Asian security summit in Paris to highlight the lack of press freedom in Central Asia, especially in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

RSF says Europe should not discuss efforts to combat terrorism or drug trafficking at the summit without also raising human rights issues. Toward that end, the Paris-based media watchdog is staging a protest at the Turkmen Embassy in Paris today to highlight their concerns.

RSF official Elsa Vidal spoke by telephone with RFE/RL today as she and other activists were occupying the office of the Turkmen ambassador to France.

«At the beginning,» Vidal told our Turkmen Service, «we were skeptical of the EU strategy of building a dialogue with dictatorships in Central Asia. But we have seen that some states might be [reached]. And anyway, we want to use every possibility, so what we want is that each time they [meet], they do bring up the question of human rights.»

Vidal noted that a few political prisoners and dissidents have been released in Uzbekistan in the past few months, following European and U.S. pressure. «And that’s a good thing,» she said. «But while they were doing so, they were at the same very moment arresting other journalists and they tortured them. So it’s a very strange period.»

We were skeptical of the EU strategy of building a dialogue with dictatorships in Central Asia. But we have seen that some [objectives] might be achieved.In a statement, the group says a «high price» is paid in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan «for any attempts at independent or critical reporting. Arrests, violence, and harassment of journalists and their families are the methods habitually used by the authorities whenever they are criticized.»

RSF notes that no proper investigation has yet been launched into the death in 2006 of right activist Ogulsapar Muradova, who was also a correspondent for RFE/RL’s Turkmen Service. She died, RSF says, «from blows she received in prison while serving a six-year sentence for helping a French TV journalist to prepare a report.»

Two other activists — Annakurban Amanklychev and Sapardurdy Khajiev — were arrested at the same time as Muradova and were also sentenced to six or seven years in prison. There has been no news of either of them.

In Uzbekistan, journalists and government opponents continue to be harassed.

Solijon Abdurakhmanov, a correspondent for the news website uznews.net, has been held in the western city of Nukus since June 7. His trial, on spurious drug-trafficking charges, began on September 12. He faces 20 years in jail.

As for the other three Central Asian nations, Kazakhstan ranked 125th out of 169 countries in the 2007 Reporters Without Borders world press freedom index; Kyrgyzstan ranked 110th; and Tajikistan ranked 115th. Both Uzbekistan (160th) and Turkmenistan (167th) were in the last 10.

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Источник: http://www.rferl.org/Content/EU_Urged_To_Discuss_Press_Freedoms_At_Central_Asian_Summit/1201020.html

This monitoring presents a compilation of reports from Tajikistan’s media and private reports from the NANSMIT monitoring network in the country.
Coordinator of the Monitoring Network in Tajikistan:
Abdufattokh Vokhidov
Head of the Legal Service:
Orifjon Azimov
Head of the Project in Tajikistan:
Nuriddin Karshibayev
Situation in the sphere of Freedom of Speech in Tajikistan
August 2008
In August 2008, the NANSMIT Monitoring Service received 23 reports concerning violations of legal rights of journalists. Eleven of them describe the factual situation in the media in the light of socio-legal and political environment; ten reports describe direct violations of rights of media professionals; and two 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. Actions and behavior of officials defining the factual situation in the media

4 August
Zafar Saidzoda, Senior Advisor to the President of Tajikistan, Dushanbe

Zafar Saidov, Senior Advisor to the President of Tajikistan published an article in the Asia Plus weekly (#32, 6.08.08), where he shares his thoughts with readers how to create a decent image of Tajikistan abroad. According to Saidov, the moist efficient would be information/resource centers with a unified public coordination center under the President’s Office. Such a complex medium should be oriented towards the Russian-speaking and English-speaking information space.

2. Factual situation in the sphere of media and freedom of speech

15 August
Bokhtar newspaper, Bokhtar district, Khatlon province

Population of one of the most densely populated districts in Khatlon province does not have access to local information. Eight hundred subscribers of the Bokhtar newspaper cannot timely receive the periodical. Since 2007, the local authorities cannot appoint the editor of their own printing body. Mukimjon Mukhtorov, the only journalist of the newspaper has been in a hospital for two months. The newspaper accountant, Sanobar Khudoidodova, upon her own initiative, managed to organize publication of six issues in 2008. For several months, the newspaper employees cannot receive their salaries. The district financial office refuses to proceed with payment because of the absence of the editor’s signature.

3. Journalists protecting their civil and professional rights

6 August
Media Alliance of Tajikistan

The professional Media Alliance of Tajikistan (MAT) held a regular annual meting, where the members introduced essential amendments in the organization’s carter (Facts and Arguments weekly, #32, 6.08.08). In particular, the term of chairmanship of MAT’s secretary general is three years instead of the previous one-year term. From now on, the head of MAT can be reelected repeatedly, whereas previously, there was a principle of rotation in this position. Zafar Abdullayev, editor of the FC-Capital weekly and the Avesta information agency is the newly elected head of MAT.

7 August
Union of Journalists of Tajikistan and Drug Control Agency, Dushanbe

The Union of Journalists of Tajikistan (UJT) and the Drug Control Agency under the President’s Office launched a national contest for printing and electronic media on the best coverage of problems related to drugs and healthy life style “Say no to drugs!”

The contest is organized within the framework of the project “Public awareness on the danger of drug abuse and risk reduction among the youth of Tajikistan” financed by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Program.

8 August
All media, Kulyab, Khatlon province

On 7 August, the women’s club “Umed” in Kulyab city gave handled awards to winners of the contest “Democratic society and gender equality”.

The contest was organized by the national public organization Gender and Development and its partners, regional press clubs. The contest was held within the framework of the project “Strengthening democracy and empowering women in politics” supported by the European Commission.

9 August
All media, Dushanbe

A three-day training “Access to information: cooperation and transparency” was held in Dushanbe for journalists, employees of the government institutions, the parliament and the Supreme Court of Tajikistan. Participants discussed legal and ethical principles of interrelations between the authorities and the media, international standards of journalism and access to information, new technologies for press services: audio, photo and video materials.

The training was conducted by the independent school of journalism Tajikistan – XXI Century under support of the Union of Journalists and NANSMIT.

10 August
All media, Khorog, GBAO

The public organization Madina in the city of Khorog, administrative center of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) held a contest for printing and electronic media on the issues of gender equality and development.

11 August
All media, Dushanbe

On 9 August, participants of the round table “Cooperation between the media and the government press services: achievements and perspectives” signed a memorandum on understanding.

In this document, participants recommend – inter alia – to Tajikistan legislative bodies to enhance the legal bases of access to information. Among concrete recommendations are the following: а) information should be presented by public officials to journalists upon request within three days; b) the most essential information should be presented without delay; c) information should be provided to the media for free.

Along with that, participants recommended to the government to support and promote press centers at all government institutions countrywide. A special necessity of having professional personnel and expansion of their authorities is outlined in the document.

13 August
All media

A round table on the topic “How to improve the coverage of women’s problems in the media” was held in Dushanbe (Millat weekly, #33, 13.08.08). Adolati Mirzo, editor of the Millat weekly proposed to create a media organization to tackle the problems of women, protection of their dignity and rights.

27 August
All media, Penjikent, Sughd province

The Tajik NGO Women of the East organized a two-day workshop on legal issues in journalism. The workshop was held for journalists in the city of Penjikent, Sughd province under financial support the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.

Participants studied the recent changes in Tajikistan’s law “On printing and other mass media” and discussed the problems of access to publicly important information.

According to the participants, self-censorship becomes a common feature of Tajik journalists, who adjust their publications to what is considered acceptable for the authorities. They try to avoid sharp angles in political, social and economic life of the country.

29 August
NANSMIT, UJT, Dushanbe

The National Association of Independent Media, Tajikistan (NANSMIT) and the Union of Journalists of Tajikistan (UJT) disseminated a joint statement concerning persecution of a local journalist Tursunali Aliyev. The author is persecuted by the authorities for criticism in his publications.

The media organizations stressed that Tajik journalists become subject to accusations while trying to protect interests of citizens, the society and the state.

On 9 August 2008, prosecutor’s office in Sughd province initiated a criminal case on Article 135, part 3 (libel) of the Tajik Criminal Code against Tursunali Aliev. The case is grounded on the article published on 12 September 2007 in the Tong newspaper. Aliyev has been working in the media for forty years. He is a member of the Tajik Union of Journalists.

Legal experts interpret the actions of the Sughd province law enforcement agencies as deliberate persecution of Tursunali Aliyev, and they serve the interests high-ranked officials. NANSMIT and UJT demand an objective investigation of this case to ensure supremacy of law.

II. VIOLATIONS OF RIGHTS AMONG JOURNALISTS AND THE MEDIA

1. Impediments to legal professional activities of journalists and the media

18 August
Jumaboi Tolibov, director of the Zeravshan Times news agency, Sughd province

Jumaboi Tolibov, director of the Zeravshan Times news agency was investigating a big road accident in Aini district, Sughd province. He was approached by a gentleman whose wife died in that accident. The man complained that a police officer confiscated gold jewelry that belonged to his late wife.

Tolibov asked the investigator about the value of the jewelry for the case under investigation. This question made the officer furious, after which Tolibov was accused of insult of a representative of a law enforcement agency. Moreover, the officer stated that Tolibov is drunk.

Tolibov passed medical examination, and there was no alcohol in his blood, which was also confirmed by the Ainy district interior officers.

COMMENT

Legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan (Article 30 of the Constitution and Articles 2 and 36 of the Law “On printing and other mass media”, Article 3 of the Law “On TV and radio broadcasting” guarantee the freedom of speech and the right to use the mass media.

According to Article 31 of the Law “On printing and other mass media”, journalists have the right to seek for, receive and disseminate information, to produce any records and use audio, photo and video equipment, except for special cases described in the law.

Any impediments to professional activities of journalists, and equally, coercion to disseminate or refuse to disseminate information forms corpus delicti according to Article 162 of the Tajik Criminal Code, and leads to imprisonment for up to five years.

2. Threats to journalists

13 August
Varorud newspaper, Sughd province

On 13 August Nabiyullo Sunnati, correspondent of the Varorud newspaper in Khujand was approached by two individuals who threatened him accusing the journalist of his recent publication.

In his article, Sunnati criticized high prices at the local fair. The journalists said that after the publication, the manager of the fair refused to provide some vendors with premises for selling their goods.

COMMENT

According to Article 36 of the Tajik law “On printing and other mass media”, coercion of journalist to dissemination or refusal from dissemination of information with applied violence or destruction of property entails legal responsibility.

Regrettably, cases of threats to journalists often remain beyond the attention of law enforcement structures. Partially, it happens because journalists themselves do not take such facts into account. It is recommended to journalists to inform the law enforcement agencies on each case involving threats against them or their relatives.

3. Ungrounded denial of providing publicly important information

5 August
Akhmadi Ibroim, freelance journalist, Kulyab, Khatlon province

Akhmadi Ibrohim told the NANSMIT monitoring service that he was collecting information on agricultural issues in Vose district. He approached the first deputy of the district chairman with a request for information. The official said in response that he cannot share any information with the media without a preliminary permission from the higher authorities.

12 August
Mahina Davronova, correspondent, Radio Imruz, Dushanbe

Mahina Davronova, correspondent of a private radio company Imruz applied to Mahmadali Yusupov, press secretary of the Supreme Court of Tajikistan with a question concerning the number of persons convicted to life in prison. The press secretary answered that the Supreme Court does not have such data, and, secondly, such information refers to the state secrecy.

COMMENT

The freedom of speech and the right to use the media are guaranteed by Article 30 of the Tajik Constitution. Certain data containing the state or any other secrets protected by law can be an exception. In cases described above, journalists were not interested in any state secrets.

Article 31 of the law “On printing and other media” ensures the right for journalists to look for, receive and disseminate information by any legal means. And Article 5 of the law in question obliges the government, political and public organizations, institutions and officials to provide the media with requested data. Denial of information can be discussed in court.

4. Ungrounded limitations in providing publicly important information

20 August
Zulfikori Ismoliyon, correspondent, Radio Liberty, Dushanbe

Heads of certain ministries and government agencies gave orders to their press services not to get into contact with the media and to restrain from providing journalists with information without preliminary permission from supreme management. Journalists are advised to send their questions well in advance in written form.

On 20 August, Zulfikori Ismoiliyon, correspondent of Radio Liberty tried to clarify this situation and asked representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade whether such an order has been given and to what extent it is legitimate. The Ministry officials gave no answer to the journalist.

COMMENT

Freedom of speech and the right to use the mass media are guaranteed by Article 30 of Tajikistan’s Constitution. Certain data containing the state or any other secrets protected by law can be an exception. According to Article 25 of Tajikistan’s law “On information”, limitations on receipt of open information is prohibited.

According to Article 27 of the law “On printing and other mass media”, citizens have the right on immediate receipt of reliable information via the media on activities of government institutions and public officials.

4. Violations of labor rights

1 August
Jaloliddin Sadriddinov, former head of the Interior Ministry press center

Jaloliddin Sadriddinov, former head of the Interior Ministry press center was reinstated in the office following the resolution of the Ismoili Somoni district court.

Sadriddinov was accused of production, dissemination and selling of video porno, but during the investigation, his guilt was not proven, and the order about his dismissal issued by the Minister of Interior is acknowledged invalid.

14 August
Sayofi Mizrob, journalist, Dushanbe

Sayofi Mizrob, former employee of Radio Liberty submitted an application against his former boss to the Ismoili Somoni district court demanding compensation for moral damage. (Nikoh newspaper, #21, 14.08.08). The journalist stated that his employment agreement was not in compliance with the Tajik Labor Code; he also complained that the local office of Radio Liberty did not pay his salary from October 2006 till June 2007.

COMMENT

The monitoring service has been recording numerous cases of violation of labor rights. It should be noted that journalists themselves try to protect their tights, and very often they succeed in this.

III. CONFLICTS. VIOLATIONS INCRIMINATED TO THE MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS

1. Libel (Articles 135-136 of Tajikistan’s Criminal Code)

27 August
Tursunali Aliev, Tong newspaper, Sughd province

On 9 August, the Sughd province prosecutor’s office launched a criminal case afainst Tursunali Aliev on Article 135, part 3 (libel) of the Tajik Criminal Code. The reason for launching the case was an article titles “Shame on the chairman” published on 12 September 2007 in the local newspaper Tong.

The author revealed facts of unlawful privatization of the state property in the district. After the publication, the chairman of Jabbarrasulov district was dismissed from his post, and the prosecutor’s office initiated a criminal case against his deputy (later, the case was terminated).

Along with that, a year ago, the authorities undertook attempts to bring Aliev to responsibility for his publication. The facts described in the article were considered by the prosecutor’s office, but due to the absence of corpus delicti, the case was not initiated.

However, the Sughd province prosecutor’s office has returned to this issue and re-launched the case against Aloev.

COMMENT

Article 135 establishes criminal responsibility if the person deliberately disseminates deceitful information defaming another person. Such crime can be committed only with specific intent. Otherwise, there is no corpus delicti.

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