Tajikistan: Free Expression Shows Slight Improvement; Serious Concerns Remain

by International Freedom of Expression eXchange, http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/80887

The following is a summary of a February 7, 2007 article on IFEX.org, the International Freedom of Expression eXchange website.

2006 appeared to be a better year for Tajikistan in regard to free expression conditions. Tajikistan's National Association of Independent Mass Media (NANSMIT) claims one of the improvements has been the presidential decree put into force in March, 2005 that grants the media greater access to government information. Another positive trend was the increasing number of journalists who are standing up for their rights in court. However, in practice some mid-level managers consistently deny journalists access to government officials and more and more civil defamation suits are being filed against journalists.

There were 19 suits in 2006 and journalists continue to be threatened. Government officials denied access to Internet publications, one of the few independent news sources in the nation. Courts and regulators actively stifled independent domestic broadcasters. Tajikistan's criminal codes do not allow public criticism of the president and can enforce punishment of up to five years in prison for such infractions.

In the lead-up to the November 2006 presidential election, which the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said failed to meet international standards, President Rakhmonov's administration limited critical news coverage, CPJ says. "No daily newspapers circulated in Tajikistan; independent weeklies were suppressed; foreign television and radio stations were barred from the airwaves; and critical Internet news sites were blocked..."

Click here for IFEX's article in its entirety on the International Feedom of Expression eXchange website.