Hot News 2005

August 22

IREX dissolved Zhalalabat Media Center

IREX official Greg Stephenson met with local journalists in Zhalalabat on 22 August, 2005. They were discussing future of the Zhalalabat Media Center. Mr. Stephenson informed that the IREX has finished the project to support the media center in Zhalalabat, and they have, therefore, decided to take back the equipment and transfer it to local private media outlets and NGOs.

Journalists expressed protest against the decision and requested him to save the Center, which is now not only the place for journalists to use Internet and telephone lines for free, but also professional school for young journalists.

Abdumomun Mamraimov, head of the Centre, decided on the center’s destiny behind journalists’ back. Stephenson specified that IREX’ decision wasn’t unilateral, but previously agreed with Mamaraimov. Though Mamaraimov said to colleagues he had no time to discuss this question with Center staff.

Mamaraimov acquainted them with a list of equipment, planned to be distributed among local media outlets and NGOs. The list appeared to have been made solely by Mamaraimov.

Zhalil Saparov, a spokesman for “Journalists’ and NGOs’ Coalition against Corruption,” said his organization refuses to take a computer, provided by the IREX, as a protest against the “backroom deal.”      

Some other newspapers’ editors and journalists went out of the room in protest before the session has officially closed.

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