Category : Turkmenistan

Major new global free expression index sees UK ranking stumble across academic, digital and media freedom

alt informationA major new global ranking index tracking the state of free expression is published today

The leaders who are dodging questions on coronavirus – and how

alt informationA growing number of world leaders are avoiding questions asked by the media about coronavirus, as we report on our global map monitoring media violations

Worst countries for restrictions on religious freedom

alt informationSome of the worst countries for religious freedom are Burma, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China, Eritrea, Iran

Naming and shaming: 8 countries egregiously violating religious freedom

alt informationThe U.S. State Department names and shames eight “Countries of Particular Concern” that severely violate religious freedom rights within their borders. Now an independent watchdog is naming and shaming the State Department, saying its list should be doubled. Brian Pellot reports

Free expression in the news

Free expression in the news

Free expression in the news

Free expression in the news

Turkmenistan: Reporter gets five years in prison

A Radio Free Europe correspondent in Turkmenistan has been sentenced to five years in prison. Dovletmurad Yazguliyev was sentenced yesterday on charges of inciting his sister-in-law to attempt to commit suicide. Yazguliyev was detained on 27 September and his family were pressured to sign a statement backing up the charges against him. Yazguliyev and his colleagues believe that the […]

Free Microsoft licences to help combat censorship

Microsoft is extending its program of giving free software licences to non-profit organisations. The initiative was first applied to Russia, after it was discovered that authorities were using software piracy inquiries as a method of suppressing independent media outlets and advocacy groups. The program will now include 500,000 NGOs in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, […]

Circus reopens in Turkmenistan, but ballet still banned

The circus has finally returned to Ashgabat after a nine-year long absence, following the legacy of previous President Niyazov, who banned the cinema, opera, ballet, lip-synching, gold teeth, long hair and beards for men, as well as renaming all the days of the week and month after members of his family. On Friday, the first circus […]

News staff sacked after insect invasion

Turkmenistan President Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov fired 30 employees of the main state television channel after a cockroach crawled across the studio desk during the 9pm news programme, Vatan, the news website Kronika Turkmenistan reported on 21 February.