OSCE Centre publishes brochure on press freedom and media development in Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, 28 February 2007 - A new brochure, published this week with the support of the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe, promotes press freedom and the development of a modern media policy in Tajikistan.

"Freedom of speech and of the media are among the most basic human rights recognized by the laws and international commitments of most nations, including Tajikistan," said Michael Unland, Media Officer in the OSCE Centre.

"In order to fully benefit from the media's strengths and advantages, modern policies need to be developed and implemented."

Dr. Abdusattor Nuraliev, the head of the Russian-Tajik Slavonic University's Department of Journalism, added: "This brochure, the first of its kind, will serve as a base for discussion on media policy shaping in Tajikistan. It will also be used as a manual by journalism students."

The brochure will be distributed in coming weeks and is available at the OSCE Centre and at the Slavonic University. It includes more than 25 contributions and presentations in Tajik and Russian delivered by scientists and media experts during an OSCE-supported press freedom conference held in December 2006 at the Russian-Tajik Slavonic University.