DUSHANBE, May 3, 2011, Asia-Plus — Tajikistan’s media organizations have organized a number of events to mark World Press Freedom Day.
A roundtable to discuss features of journalism in Tajikistan and main problems facing Tajik journalism has opened in Dushanbe today morning.
Organized by Tajik Journalists’ Union, National Association of Independent Media of Tajikistan (Nansmit), Tajikistan’s Media Alliance (MAT), Tajikistan’s Media Council and the Homa public association under financial support of the Tajik Branch of Open Society Institute/Assistance Foundation (OSI/AF-Tajikistan), the meeting has brought together representatives of the country’s media outlets and media support organizations to discuss the key problems facing freedom of speech and journalists’ activities in Tajikistan.
The meeting participants are also considering issues related to professional ethics of journalists and reasons for increase in the number of lawsuits filed against media outlets.
Monitoring carried out by Tajik media watchdog, Nansmit, in January-April this year includes 84 reports regarding the freedom of speech situation in the country. 36 reports reflects an actual state of media in the country against the background of social and political situation, 34 others describe instances of violation of rights of journalists and media and 14 reports describe conflicts and lawsuits filed against journalists and media outlets over the report period.
“Relying on these findings, one may draw a conclusion that restriction of freedom of speech has shown an upward tendency in the country over the first four months of this year,” the Nansmit monitoring service coordinator Abdufttoh Vohidov noted.
