DUSHANBE, September 8, Asia-Plus -- The Media Council of Tajikistan congratulates journalists on International Day of Journalists’ Solidarity.

In its message of congratulations, the Media Council, in particular, notes that Tajik journalists should serve preservation of peace and stability in society, development of democracy, protection of national and cultural values, and protection of freedom of speech.

“Journalist cannot shut eyes to the negative events, the creation of a cult of personality in society and the humiliation of human honor and dignity,” the message says.

International Day of Journalists’ Solidarity is marked worldwide since 1958, when the 4th Congress of the International Organization of Journalists was held in Bucharest.  It is confined to the day of execution of the Czech anti-fascist journalist Julius Fucik by Nazis on September 8, 1943. 

The Tajik Media Council was founded in October 2009.  About 60 media representatives attended the founding session of the Tajik Media Council on October 30, 2009.  Each of them could propose one person as a candidate for the Council.  Twenty candidates were nominated, and out of these, nine were elected as councilors.  With OSCE Office support to its first year of formal operation, the Tajik Media Council has been provided with expertise and training opportunities that have enabled it to promote professional ethics in Tajik journalism.  In 2010, additional 15 media outlets signed up to the mechanism and agreed to its code of ethics.