Interview with media activist

Press freedom is becoming of increasing concern in Tajikistan, which until now had more favourable conditions for the media than its Central Asian neighbours. Local observers and media activists say the deterioration is linked to forthcoming parliamentary elections in February 2005 with independent media outlets facing growing pressure from the authorities. The government closed and sealed the offices of the privately-owned printer Jiyonkhon on 18 August, preventing the publication of three newspapers. The order came just as the company was about to begin a print run for the independent weekly Nerui Sukhan. Jiyonkhon is the only company in the country that will print the three opposition weeklies Nerui Sukhan, Ruzi Nav and Najot, the newspaper of the opposition Islamic Revival party. In a separate incident, on 16 August the state printer, Sanadvora, refused to print the opposition newspaper Odamu Olam, breaking its contract with the paper, which has not appeared since. This came in the wake of a physical attack against Rajabi Mirzo, editor of Ruzi Nav and repeated threats against independent journalist Mavluda Sultonzoda. Earlier in August, the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Western embassies in the country, expressed their concern over the situation, calling on Dushanbe not to obstruct independent media at a time when the electorate has a right to a plurality of views and opinions. In an interview with IRIN, Nuriddin Karshiboev, president of the National Association of Independent Media in Tajikistan (NANSMIT), said the government was trying to restrict the amount of information in the public domain in the pre-election period and silence its critics. He called for an independent printing house in Tajikistan with international support. QUESTION: How would you describe the situation with regard to press freedom in Tajikistan? ANSWER: The media freedom situation has worsened over the past month. We warned about that earlier and now we are sure that the authorities are increasing the pressure on independent media ahead of the parliamentary elections. Q: Three independent and opposition newspapers in Tajikistan - Ruzi Nav, Nerui Sukhan and Najot - were forced out of print after the authorities closed their printing house on 18 August. Is this an indication that media freedom is now under real threat in Tajikistan? A: The authorities have a right to check the financial activity of business entities. However, in our opinion, the actions of the financial bodies concerning the newspaper Nerui Sukhan show that these steps were taken with the aim of impeding the activities of the independent media. If this is not true, what is the reason for preventing the publication of these newspapers by the director of the Sharki Ozod printing house [Manzurkhon] Dodokhonov? And why have other printing houses also rejected publishing opposition newspapers? The authorities and the media, especially the independent press, are always in opposition with each other, but the Tajik authorities are using unacceptable methods in this struggle. Q: Are we looking at censorship in the run up to February's election at a time when a free press could contribute to a better quality poll? A: Censorship is banned by law in Tajikistan. However, some officials try to exert political censorship in the media ahead of the polls using illegal means. They restrict in any way possible access to any socially significant information, particularly that related to the government. Q: Organisations such as the OSCE [Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe] as well as foreign embassies are worried. Is there a role here for the international community to promote media freedom in Tajikistan? A: International organisations should clearly define their stance with regard to the development of free media in Tajikistan. I know that many organisations take concrete measures [grants, technical and training assistance] aimed at supporting the media in Tajikistan. Unfortunately, there is not always an assessment of media needs with the involvement of local journalist organisations. For example, the establishment of an independent printing house under the aegis of the OSCE and UN would be an important contribution to promoting a free press in Tajikistan. Q: What about conditions for journalists in Tajikistan, such as pay, safety etc. Do they contribute to a weak press? A: I can assure you that many Tajik journalists are enthusiasts for their profession. Indeed, their salaries are meagre and nobody guarantees their security. However, until the events of recent months there had been some positive trends in the development of the independent press. I think that the press gets accustomed to struggle and the pre-election period for Tajikistan's press is crucial [in that respect]. Q: What needs to be done locally to address the issue? A: The media should be protected by law against the arbitrariness of the authorities. Every case of the [state] putting pressure on the media should be publicised. It is necessary to demand that state bodies investigate these cases and make the results available to the public. Q: What is your organisation doing in this regard? A: NANSMIT has been monitoring abuses of journalist and media rights in Tajikistan for the past two years. Monitoring reports and results are used for establishing a dialogue between the media and state bodies, lobbying for journalists and media rights in parliament and institutions of executive power. We provide legal support to journalists and media, and develop their skills in protecting their interests. We are intending to implement a "Media and Democracy" programme ahead of the forthcoming elections. In September the first phase of the programme - a "Media and Elections" project - will start, supported by the OSCE centre in Dushanbe. The project envisages training journalists from all the regions of Tajikistan. We are also planning to conduct a survey and monitoring of parliamentary election coverage in Tajikistan in order to develop some recommendations for our colleagues. Q: Are there any positive developments in the region, media-wise, that could be replicated in Tajikistan? A: There are some initiatives, for example libel decriminalisation by [Kyrgyz] President [Askar] Akaev, but they haven't been successful. Unfortunately, all Central Asian countries are going to elections and everywhere there are different issues. In all the countries, journalists and the media have problems with the authorities. These issues should be resolved through dialogue.