Tajik journalists and students celebrate Press Freedom Day with OSCE Field Office

KHUJAND, Tajikistan, 3 May 2007 - Highlighting the importance of freedom of the media was the aim of a series of events that the OSCE Field Office in Khujand, in northern Tajikistan, organized today to mark World Press Freedom Day.

Georgia Varisco, the OSCE Field Officer in Khujand, presented awards to winners of a competition for professionalism and courage in journalism, as well as of a photo competition on freedom of speech.

Awards were also given to the winners of a contest for the best essay and best drawing on freedom of speech held among school and university students. The most popular TV and radio stations, and a print media outlet in northern Tajikistan, selected by over 500 respondents, were also praised and awarded for their work.

"The OSCE promotes press freedom in Tajikistan among other ways by increasing public access to information, financing the establishment and operation of independent media, and strengthening professional skills of Tajik journalists," said Georgia Varisco.

"Today's events aim to increase awareness of journalists, local authorities and the public of the importance of the freedom of the press."

The events were co-organized with regional authorities and the department of journalism at the Khujand State University.