Internet-based media outlets have launched a clamp-down campaign against the writer and journalist Akmukhammet Velsaparov (who is also known under the pseudonym of Ak Velsapar).
Social networks have published dozens of videos featuring Turkmen celebrities and ordinary residents insulting Velsaparov, the author of Youtube channel Erkin Türkmenistan, who reported Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov’s death two weeks ago.
The editorial office of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” would like to express solidarity with and support to our colleague Akmukhammet Velsaparov.Undoubtedly, the premature publication of reports about the alleged death of the President was a big mistake, which might undermine the audience’s trust in the journalist.
It is true that the more “high-profile” the news, the more thoroughly it needs to be checked.It appears that our media outlets have an absolutely different editorial policy with regard to information style.
However, to some extent we cannot but agree with Akmukhammet Velsaparov’s argument that it is extremely challenging to obtain reliable information from Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan ranked bottom of the 2019 World Press Freedom Index for a reason.This in no way serves as justification for publishing unreliable information but it does imply that the possibility of an error in independent news outlets devoted to Turkmenistan is considerably higher than in those countries where journalists can fulfill their responsibilities unhampered and double-check information, free of fear for their life.
Taking into account the fact that during the first days after the reports about the President’s death had been published, neither official media outlets nor quasi-independent pro-governmental websites provided any comment whatsoever, and then unexpectedly started posting “incriminating” offensive articles and videos in unison featuring celebrities insulting Velsaparov.
It can be assumed with confidence that the relevant instructions were issued by higher-ranking authorities and that it was not a voluntary impulse by residents to express their opinion.
We believe that such large-scale persecution of our colleague does not contribute to facilitating free press in Turkmenistan but conversely, proves there is no freedom of speech in the country.
We would like to call on the authorities of Turkmenistan to stop persecuting Akmukhammet Velsaparov and other independent journalists, including Geldy Kyarizov, the editor of the news outlet TurkmenYurtTV, reporter Soltan Achilova as well as correspondents of Radio “Azatlyk” and provide them with an opportunity to work in Turkmenistan unhampered.
If you are committed to avoiding publication of unreliable reports about Turkmenistan, this would be the only right solution.Diversity of opinions and their сcompetitiveness only strengthen the state.
The goal of a journalist is not to topple the authorities, but rather search for and publish accurate and reliable information of public importance which should primarily be used by the authorities themselves with a view to addressing and solving the problems faced by residents.
The editorial board of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan”