DUSHANBE, January 2, Asia-Plus — An improved version of the country law on the Press and Other Media [Organizations], worked out by a working group, is expected to be submitted for consideration to the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) this week, Nouriddin Qarshiboyev, head of the National Association of Independent Media of Tajikistan (Nansmit), announced at a roundtable meeting in Dushanbe on December 29.
As it had been reported earlier, the meeting, staged by Nansmit Tajik Journalists’ Union, Republican Press Center, Tajikistan’s Media Alliance and some other public associations dealing with protection of media and journalists rights, was held at Tajik Journalists’ Union on December 29. The meeting brought together representatives from parliament, president’s office and media organizations to discuss issues related to improvement of the country’s law on the Press and other Media [Organizations].
Akbarali Sattorov, head of Tajik Journalists’ Union, Olim Salimzoda, deputy head of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) Committee on International Affairs, Nansmit head Nouriddin Qarshiboyev, and Professor Ibrohim Usmonov from Tajik National University addressed the meeting
Professor Ibrohim Usmonov, in particular, noted that the working group had prepared amendments to eight articles of the law.
The law on the Press and other Media was adopted in Tajikistan on December 14, 1990, and various changes and addenda were made to it in 1992, 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2002.
“As a whole, the law meets international standards; however, some provisions require improvement and more precise definitions,” said Mr. Usmonov. “Thus, some articles requiring registration of media with a number of government institutions, including ministries of foreign affairs, justice and culture, look not quite logical.”
Salimzoda supported him, noting that it would be better if only one government institution would be engaged with registration of media.
Speaking at the meeting, Salimzoda also noted that Tajikistan was currently Tajikistan is working out a draft law on the right of access to information. According to him, numerous reports in media that some government are refusing or attempting to limit access to information of significance for society gave rise to working out the mentioned draft law. Salimzoda said that the bill determines terms during which information should be made available. “This bill provides for the right of access to information not only for media but also for any citizens who applies for information,” MP said.
