The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (Office) celebrated the World Press Freedom Day together with its national and international partners on 3 May 2023 in Dushanbe. This year's theme "Shaping a Future of Rights. Freedom of Expression as a driver for all other human rights" created a platform for participants to re-engage, establish network, exchange experience, raise the awareness and discuss the current state of the media affairs in Tajikistan.
High-level representatives from Tajikistan's government, as well as international organizations, embassies, civil society and media outlets attended the conference. The Office organized the conference in cooperation with the Government of Tajikistan, Tajik Media Council, INTERNEWS, the US Embassy, the UK Embassy, the EU Delegation, German Embassy, French Embassy, the UN Resident Coordinator's Office and UNESCO.
The event featured a series of panel discussions, keynote speeches and workshops. The participants also discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the media industry in Tajikistan. A follow-up workshops on media development, journalism education and reporting, aimed at equipping journalists with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing media landscape, were also among the focus of the conference.
Representative of Tajikistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms Zarrina Ismoilzoda said that in a democratic and law-abiding society, the press is one of the main means of influencing public opinion, and its role in the process of democratization and formation of public opinion is very important. She added that the activity of the mass media is based on the Constitution, legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan and other international regulatory legal documents recognized by Tajikistan.
"In the OSCE, we firmly believe that freedom of expression and freedom of the media constitutes basic human rights. Implementation of these principles further serves the stability, development and prosperity," stated Acting Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe Tea Jaliashvili in her opening speech.
