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Dharamshala journalists observe World Press Freedom Day

By Lobsang Wangyal | Tibet Sun

Journalists in Dharamshala, India, observed the World Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2009. Tibetan and Indian journalists discussed ways to improve their working conditions, accessibility and coordination among the two communities.Tibet Sun/Lobsang Wangyal/India

Journalists in Dharamshala observed the 3 May, World Press Freedom Day, for the protection and promotion of press freedom today.

The Association of Tibetan Journalists (ATJ) organised a meeting of the local Indian journalist and the Tibetan journalists along with a few activists working for human rights to mark the day.

The ATJ president Tashi Wangchuk called on the governments of the world, especially those countries where freedom of press is suppressed, to respect freedom of press and freedom of speech in their respective countries.

Wangchuk particularly called on China to stop suppressing freedom of speech and the free press.

“Reports from Tibet and China of Beijing’s crackdown on the media clearly show the extent to which a government can go in shutting up journalists who often become the victims of government atrocities,” he said.

China arrested Konchok Tsephel, the proprietor of ‘Choemey’ website; Dhondup Wangchen, who made the film “Leaving Fear Behind”; Kunga Tsangyang, a well known writer and photographer; and, Khawei Tsesok, the editor of Drokru Tsultrim, were arrested last year and their whereabouts are still unknown.

However, China recently released Golok Jigme, who was arrested for assisting filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen. Rangjung from Seda TV was arrested in September 2008, but was released soon after.

“We welcome the releases but urge China to release all the other journalists,” Wangchuk said.

He also demanded from China that an exile Tibetan media team be allowed to visit Tibet to examine the situation there.

China ranked among world’s worst countries against press freedom in Freedom House’s report released on 1 May. Other worst-rated countries include Burma, Cuba, Eritrea, Libya, North Korea and Turkmenistan.

According to the Paris-based World Association of Newspapers, 673 journalists were arrested, 70 killed and 125 jailed worldwide in 2008.

During the meeting, Suresh Khatta, the reporter of The Indian Express, said that there is a communication gap between the Tibetan and the Indian journalists. He said more such meetings should be convened to bring the two groups closer to foster better understanding between the two communities.

He requested to choose words carefully while writing comments against the local Indian journalists in pro-Tibet blogs. He also expressed the need for the Tibetan government-in-exile to issue longer-term press passes to cover Tibetan events, rather than issuing press passes event wise.

Gaurav Bhist, the reporter of the Hindustan Times, said that the local Indian journalists have accessibility problems at the Tibetan government-in-exile. “We don’t get quotes from the exile government. We have to take the quotes from the international wire services.”

Around 50 journalists and a few other activists attended the meeting, which was sponsored by a long-time Tibet supporter from Japan, Satsuki Takahashi.

Copyright © 2009 Tibet Sun

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