OSCE Centre in Ashgabad

Media in the fight against terrorism

In the eight-point declaration adopted at the end of the conference, participants called on governments within the anti-terror alliance not to use national security arguments to limit human rights.

They also appealed to governments of the Central Asian States not to misuse the new conflict situation as a justification for repressive steps against opposition media.

"The media should be free to exercise their corrective function towards economic, ecological and military decisions in their countries, especially in times of conflict. The free public debate is imperative," the declaration states.

"Especially after 11 September the media should not be prevented (from) informing the public about existing financial links between terrorist group activities and corruption."

Protecting journalists' rights

Discussion focused on the latest developments regarding media freedom in Central Asia, and in particular the challenges faced by media in the region after September 11.

"Many Central Asian media representatives affirm that their working conditions have been deteriorating in the last years," said Ambassador Heinrich Haupt, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Almaty.

Key problems include concentration and monopolization of the media and the use of both legal and illegal means to silence journalists critical of the government.
The impact of the anti-terrorist campaign and the danger that national security would be used as a pretext for limiting freedom of expression were two major concerns shared by the participants.

"We are meeting at a time when several governments have stressed the priority of national security matters over human rights, an argument not only legitimately used at a time of war but also misused to stifle dissent and public debate," said Freimut Duve, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

"The struggle for freedom and democracy in Central Asia is still going on. Many of you sitting here are part of it. You have a tough time ahead. But remember: without free journalists there can be no true democracy," said Duve in his address to the participants.

The conference

The conference was organized by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and the OSCE Centre in Almaty, in co-operation with Adil Soz, the International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Expression, and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

This was the third in a series of conferences organized by the OSCE on freedom of the media in Central Asia: the others were held in Bishkek in 1999 and in Dushanbe in 2000.
More than 80 journalists from all five Central Asian countries, as well as government officials, members of parliament and representatives of non-governmental organizations took part in the discussions.

Freedom and reponsibility

The declaration adopted at the end of the conference not only highlighted journalists' concerns but also stated that journalists "must undertake further efforts to report objectively and edit carefully their coverage of the conflict".

"The journalistic ethic is needed more than ever in times of conflict and journalists have to be aware of their increased responsibility."
Specific recommendations made in the declaration included:

• the international community, governmental and non-governmental organizations doing more to safeguard journalists working in conflict zones;
• leading media outlets remaining actively engaged in the region, both as a source of information and professional journalism for their collegues.