In the "World Press Freedom Index" compiled annually by the international organization "Reporters Without Borders" (RSF), Turkmenistan ranked 175th out of 180. The country scored 22.01 points and improved its position by one point compared to the previous year, Hronika.tm reports.
The ranking compilers note that "news in Turkmenistan, one of the most closed countries in the world, is limited to praising the regime."
Media Landscape:
The government exercises strict control over newspapers, radio, television, and the internet. Citizens do not have access to global sources of information online and risk fines if they attempt to use VPNs. Major media outlets, including TDH, the newspapers "Turkmenistan" and "Neutral Turkmenistan," as well as the channel "Altyn Asyr," broadcast government propaganda. Independent publications operate from abroad.
Political Context:
After Serdar Berdymukhamedov, the son of the former leader, was elected president in March 2022, censorship and surveillance of journalists intensified. All media outlets are required to promote the government line and present a "positive image of Turkmenistan." Criticism of the president and other officials is prohibited. Journalists who dare to break these rules face persecution, imprisonment, and torture.
Legal Framework:
Despite the law passed in 2013 banning censorship, all publications are controlled by the government. There is no public registry of "banned sites," but new media outlets are regularly blocked. When journalists publish information disliked by the authorities, officials readily bring criminal charges against them.
Economic Context:
All mass media, most of which were established by the first president of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov, are owned and funded by the government.
Sociocultural Context:
All media outlets are required to portray the country's leadership in a positive light and cover the social and cultural agenda promoted by the government. The government suppresses any criticism of its policies, leading citizens to fear and distrust the press.
Security:
The few remaining journalists in the country, as well as sources of information for exiled journalists, work undercover, risking persecution, imprisonment, and torture. Authorities exert pressure on their families.
As for the other countries of Central Asia, only Kyrgyzstan improved its position, ranking 120th (122 last year), Kazakhstan placed 142nd (134), Uzbekistan - 148th (137), and Tajikistan - 155th (153). Russia, which was 164th last year, received 162nd place this year.
The situation with freedom of speech is worse than in Turkmenistan only in Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, Syria, and Eritrea. Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland top the ranking.
In 2023, Turkmenistan scored 25.82 points and ranked 176th. In 2022, the country ranked 177th out of 180, scoring 25.01 points.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
May 7, 2024