Attacks on the Press in 2010 - Committee to Protect Journalists

<strong>Attacks</strong> on the Press in 2010government analysts’ conclusion that a publication on HIV/AIDS preventionviolated Uzbek traditions and values. The court ordered all copies ofthe publication to be burned.Two other journalists, Abdumalik Boboyev, Tashkent correspondentfor the U.S. government-funded Voice of America (VOA), and VladimirBerezovsky, editor of the pro-government news website Vesti, were similarlyprosecuted on defamation charges based on the findings of state publicationanalysts. Courts in Tashkent convicted both journalists in October,generating renewed outcry from domestic and international organizations,including CPJ. As they did in the Akhmedova case, authorities amnestiedBerezovsky immediately after his conviction. Boboyev was ordered to pay aheavy fine of 18 million som (about US$11,000), Ferghana reported.Boboyev was also among at least six independent journalists summonedby Tashkent prosecutors for interrogations in January, accordingto Ferghana and CPJ interviews. In these sessions, authorities made clearthat they had been watching the reporters’ movements very closely. Oneof those interrogated told CPJ that prosecutors wielded a detailed, government-compileddossier that contained not only articles and biographicalinformation, but copies of personal financial transactions and accounts ofthe reporters’ daily activities. No legal counsel was present for the interrogations,during which the journalists were forced to give written responsesto prosecutors’ questions. Among other things, prosecutors demandedthat journalists name the outlets to which they have contributed, revealany pennames they have used, and explain financial transactions, Ferghanareported.Government data reflected a sizable number of news media: about 950publications, 97 broadcasters (62 private), four news agencies, and 124news websites. But CPJ research showed that authorities heavily influencedoverall editorial policies, suppressing critical coverage of governmentactions and sanitizing coverage of international events.In a rare development, two news anchors for state-controlled YoshlarTV publicly described censorship practices at work. At an August pressconference held at the Tashkent-based human rights group Ezgulik, anchorsSaodat Omonova and Malokhat Eshonkulova said that governmentofficials pre-screened their programs, censored reports they found criticalof the state, and instructed the journalists to present information from thegovernment-owned news agency. “State officials of any level—from thepresidential administration and security council to bank clerks, tax policeagents, and customs officers—can interfere in our work,” the anchorssaid. Approached for comment by the BBC, Yoshlar TV representativeSokhibdjon Alidjonov denied government interference, Ferghana reported.214