In every part of the world, journalists bear responsibility before the society in general and before the law. They are ‘not above the law’ and should expect no special treatment. In other words, freedom of the press cannot be an absolute law that overrides all others. The social responsibility of any journalist requires that in all circumstances he or she acts in accordance with his or her personal ethical standards.
For the last two years, a disturbing and abhorrent trend has emerged in the international media where RFE/RL journalists and executives rush to cry foul and allege persecution of the press each time a local reporter in Turkmenistan is said to have broken the law. The case of Khudayberdy Allashov, 27 years old Dashoguz resident who was arrested on December 3 and charged with selling chewing tobacco, is the latest one. Selling of chewing tobacco is illegal in Turkmenistan.
Soon after the arrest of Khudayberdy Allashov, it turns out that he is a “reporter” for the U.S. Congress-funded media organization. Prague-based RFE/RL reported on December 6 that, at the time of his arrest, Allashov was working as a contributor for its Turkmen-language service under the pen name Mekan Tashliyev. Neither Khudayberdy Allashov, nor Mekan Tashliyev has been known to local and national authorities as a journalist or reporter.
The incident reminded the case of Saparmamed Nepeskuliev from Balkan Province, another drug-addict who was sentenced in prison in 2015 on narcotics charges. At the time of his arrest, RFE/RL reported that Nepeskuliev had been contributing to its Turkmen Service with photo reportage. He had also not been known as a reporter or photo journalist till his detention in Turkmenbashy city.
It should alarm international community when a small group of addict-turned-reporters, who do not value journalism ethics and break the law or even infringe on the rights of other citizens, hide behind the guise of freedom of the press when asked to be accountable for their omissions. Furthermore, the police is not obliged to ask a suspect before detention about whether he or she is a journalist or not.
Breaking the national law and selling narcotics illegally, regardless if one is a journalist or not, is not something any democratic country can allow. One wonders why journalists or their employers think they are exempt from the fundamental obligations of citizenship. They are not and Khudayberdy Allashov deserves prosecution if he is found guilty. And that's up to the courts to determine. Instead of making noise immediately, RFE/RL should let the law run its full course. No one is above the law in Turkmenistan.
Gaygysyz Berdiyev
Investigative journalist
