DUSHANBE, November 20, Asia-Plus  -- On Monday November 19, the Republican News Center hosted a news conference to sum up the progress results of activity of a working group set up by Tajikistan’s media organizations for reviewing the RT Law “On the Press and Other Media.”

Nouriddin Qarshiboyev, chairman of the National Association of Independent Media of Tajikistan (Nansmit) who is coordinating work of the group, noted that the first stage of work on reviewing the law had been completed.  “At the second stage, we plan to enlist the services of independent lawyers and representatives from the government and parliament to study changes and addenda proposed to the law,” the Nansmit head said.

He also called on journalists to join in with work on reviewing the media legislation and offer their suggestions how to improve the laws regulating activity of media in Tajikistan.

The Nansmit head noted that the initial analysis of the law and law-enforcement practice have demonstrated once again that the RT Law “On the Press and Other Media” requires amendments. 

Journalists and lawyers have analyzed the law and offered more than changes and addenda to it.  “The working group has agreed to make 8 amendments to the law and experts are to prepare concerted position of the group on 14 suggestions.”   

The working group for reviewing the media legislation has been set up on initiative of Nansmit, Tajik Journalists’ Union, Media Alliance, Republican News Center, the Homa Public Association, and the Bureau  on Human Rights and Rule of law (BHR).