“Both media and human right organizations must unite into a single network to tackle the problems in the freedom of speech”.

This conclusion was made at a seminar “Strengthening the network facilitating the freedom of expression in Tajikistan” held on 21 July in Dushanbe. The event was organized by the National Association of Independent Media, Tajikistan (NANSMIT) with support from Internews Network and funded by USAID.

Participants of the seminar discussed the issues related to the freedom of expression in the country. They analyzed actions of the media and human rights watchdogs and shared their views on the activities of global and regional networks for freedom of expression. Participants also discussed the results of ongoing monitoring in this area and topical problems in the Tajik media.

Participants noted that there is a lack of cooperation between the media and human rights organizations, some of which are reluctant to publicize their reports in fear of reprisals from the authorities. Certain NGOs working in the sphere of human rights are afraid of a non-professional coverage of their activities by journalists. At the same time, media professionals are still practicing self-censorship. There are many problems related to the practical use of the freedom of speech and other civil rights among professionals and public at large. There is a vital necessity of strengthening cooperation between the human rights NGOs and the media; there is a need to enhance the knowledge of laws among journalists.

The use of new information-communication technologies in the strengthening of the freedom of speech and the techniques for collection of reports were two other important topics discussed at the seminar.

Participants came to the conclusion that it would be feasible to create a network facilitating the freedom of speech in Tajikistan, and it might be called TajFEN, i.e. “Tajik Freedom of Speech Network”. According to the authors of this idea, the main purpose of such a network is to consolidate the media and the human rights organizations in their endeavors. Creators of the network express their adherence to the international standards of free expression. The network should be created as a voluntary association of organizations, which always remain open for other potential members.

“TajFEN must become a platform for discussions; it is meant for exchange of information and discussion of problems in the sphere of freedom of speech and the media; it should be designed for joint actions to protect the freedom of expression”, — said Nuriddin Karshibaev, chairman of NANSMIT. — “We are intending to develop future actions to institutionalize and strengthen this network”, — he added.

The seminar was attended by the Tajik Human Rights Bureau, NANSMIT, the Tajik Union of Journalists, the public union “Khoma”, the public union “Journalist”, the IWPR office in Tajikistan and TajANESMI.

Among the observers were representatives of USAID, OSCE, the US Embassy in Dushanbe and Internews Network.

NANSMIT Monitoring Network