OSCE Office in Tajikistan supports public discussion on new media law

Members of a parliamentary working group presented the latest version of Tajikistan’s draft media law for the first time to the public at an OSCE-supported roundtable meeting on 16 February 2012.

The working group acknowledged the need for further public discussion and improvement, and encouraged civil society representatives to continue contributing with concrete recommendations to improve the law. Some 30 participants, including civil society and government representatives as well as the members of the parliamentary working group, took part in the meeting.

The roundtable event supported by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan aimed at reviving a 20-month long discussion on the new law. Participants received documentation and presentations summarizing the past discussion and comments process.

The law will constitute the main legal framework for the country’s mass media, addressing such issues as registration and media and journalists’ rights and responsibilities.