DUSHANBE, July 21, Asia-plus — Licensing for electronic media was the focus of discussions at an international two conference, staged by the OSCE Center, that ended in Dushanbe yesterday.
More than 60 participants, including international and national media experts, State officials, journalists and representatives from media NGOs reviewed the licensing requirements and procedures for electronic media.
The OSCE Center organized the conference together with the Internews Network, the Tajik Union of Journalists, the National Association of Independent Media of Tajikistan (Nansmit), Tajik Branch of the Open Society Institute/Assistance Foundation (OSI/AF) and other media NGOs.
The conference promoted the development of a pluralistic and competitive TV and radio system in Tajikistan. It was held for the first time in Tajikistan on an international level with the participation of Russian, Kazakh and Kyrgyz experts.
“Freedom of the media is one of the main criteria for the democratic development of any country. This criteria is especially important for young developing democracies like Tajikistan,” Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of the OSCE Center, said.
State Adviser Karomatullo Olimov added: “The Government of Tajikistan is working to improve the operation of electronic media in Tajikistan. It is also working to make television and radio more available and attractive to the population.”
In the meantime, Oleg Katsiyev, the regional director of the Internews Network in Central Asia, noted that Licensing Commission of the Committee for TV and Radio-broadcasting should be independent and the procedure of its activity should be improved.
According to him, to develop electronic media in Tajikistan it is necessary to tackle the problem of licensing. “This will facilitate development of media business that will lead to creation of new jobs for citizens,” Katsiyev said, noting that artificial obstacles in the way of granting broadcasting licenses restricts economic opportunities of Tajikistan.
Barakatullo Abdulfayzov, representative from the Licensing Commission, telling the conference admitted that applicants are experiencing certain difficulties during a process of getting broadcasting licenses. “But these difficulties are connected with the legislation, which provides for meeting 21 requirements in order to get broadcasting license, while many applicants are not always ready for this procedure,” Abdulfayzov said. “They are not properly aware of legal issues,” said Abdulfayzov, “Over the past two years we have received 25 applications, but licenses have been granted only to four companies.”
The conference resulted in adoption of an appeal to the Tajik government and parliament with solicitation to improve the legislation on licensing for media.
