Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TASHKENT1765
2007-10-12 10:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:  

KOKAND TV STATION CAREFULLY MAKES PROFIT

Tags:  PHUM PGOV PREL EAID ECON OEXC CH UZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1245
RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHNT #1765/01 2851018
ZNY CCCCC ZZH ZDK
R 121018Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8595
INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 3346
RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 9547
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1051
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 3962
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 3825
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TASHKENT 001765 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PD, SCA/CEN, ASTANA FOR ALMATY/USAID

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2017
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL EAID ECON OEXC CH UZ
SUBJECT: KOKAND TV STATION CAREFULLY MAKES PROFIT

TASHKENT 00001765 001.2 OF 003


Classified By: Poloff Tim Buckley for reasons 1.4 (B, D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 TASHKENT 001765

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PD, SCA/CEN, ASTANA FOR ALMATY/USAID

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2017
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL EAID ECON OEXC CH UZ
SUBJECT: KOKAND TV STATION CAREFULLY MAKES PROFIT

TASHKENT 00001765 001.2 OF 003


Classified By: Poloff Tim Buckley for reasons 1.4 (B, D)


1. (C) Summary. On October 3 poloff and visiting SCA/CEN
desk officer visited the headquarters of Kokand TV, an
independent television station that reaches an audience of
one million in the densely populated Ferghana Valley. The
owner noted that the station must compete with subsidized
state channels, but profits have risen and the outlook for
advertising revenue is strong. The GOU and local officials
carefully monitor programming content and "do not tolerate
much criticism", although the station still tries to offer
"balance" in its own news segments and plans to air
election-themed talk-shows. The director noted that public
opinion among his viewing audience towards the United States
remains positive despite world events and the recent chill in
bilateral relations. The director cited increasing trade
with China as a new source of wealth in the Ferghana Valley.
The director also reported being called in for questioning by
National Security Service (NSS) agents after poloff's visit.
However, he still wants to maintain ties with the embassy.
End summary.

BACKGROUND
--------------

2. (C) Kokand TV is an independent television station
established in 2006 that branched off from the station
Muloqot TV, which has operated since 1991. Bakhtior Rajapov,
the Director, reported that almost every large city in
Uzbekistan has an independent television station, and there
are now two in Kokand. Rajapov (strictly protect) is involved
with both stations. Rajapov credits the work of the
USAID-funded groups Internews and the Eurasia Foundation
(both were expelled from Uzbekistan) with helping to
establish non-state television in Uzbekistan. Rajapov also
recently traveled to Nevada on a USG-funded Community

Connections exchange program, which opened his eyes to the
potential of independent media. The station has steadily
grown and now has a staff of 15. Rajapov, who is trained as
an engineer, noted that the majority of Uzbeks working in
broadcasting are not actually trained in the profession. An
Association of Journalists was established four years ago in
Uzbekistan, and Rajapov says the members have effectively
studied international journalism standards and ethics.
However, they do not have the freedom to make any major
decisions as a professional body, which limits their
effectiveness.


3. (C) Rajapov proudly discussed the station's efforts to
convert to a digital format, which has helped it keep up with
new technology and lower costs of organizing and broadcasting
programs. He pointed out equipment which was provided by
USAID and noted it has helped the station adapt and grow.
From its base in Kokand City, the station reaches an
estimated one million potential viewers, extending 70
kilometers to the east and 35 kilometers to the west (the
shorter range is due to mountains). Some viewers are in
nearby Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan due to the irregular borders
of the Ferghana Valley, but Rajapov does not have much
information or interaction with viewers beyond the borders of
Uzbekistan.

COMPETING WITH STATE TV
--------------


4. (C) The term independent television in Uzbekistan refers
to financing rather than to creative content. Rajapov notes
that Kokand TV must fiercely compete with the state-run
television channels. With state subsidies, the government
channels can afford to purchase broadcasting rights for the
extremely popular serial drama shows from Turkey, Korea, and
Mexico, which are dubbed into Uzbek and shown in prime time.
While Kokand TV cannot afford these programs, it focuses more
on local creative content, which is appreciated by many
viewers. This includes news programs that are broadcast a
few times per week, and the station plans to air ten Embassy
Democracy Commission-funded thematic talk shows on the
upcoming elections, including "Vote Consciously" and
"Registering Voters".

A SHORT LEASH
--------------


5. (C) Rajapov described with frustration how independent

TASHKENT 00001765 002.2 OF 003


television stations in Uzbekistan must obtain an annual
registration from two different GOU agencies that regulate
electronic mass media. The annual registration fee is
approximately $5,000, which is expensive for the business,
but the process itself is onerous and a reminder that the
government closely monitors the station. Rajapov described
what he learned about how US television channels obtain
broadcasting rights on his USG-funded program and lamented
the contrast. He noted that the authorities "have very
little tolerance for criticism, even of a mild nature", and
that he regularly gets complaints from the local hokimiyat
(regional government) about his broadcasts. However, he
worries more about the national government and noted "they
are very strict". Nonetheless, he tries to push the edge of
the envelope when possible and strives "to achieve balance",
but he was frank that this is on a limited basis and that he
wants to keep his business viable.


6. (C) All privately owned television stations in Uzbekistan
must become members of the National Association for
Electronic Mass Media, which in turn requires that certain
approved programs must be aired at certain times. Since
Kokand TV split from the other station, first as a second
channel and then as a separately registered station, the
Kokand market is already able to watch the required content
on the other station and Kokand TV has more latitude in
airing alternate programming. This creative registration as
a second station took place in 2006, so there will likely be
more scrutiny when the station goes through the annual
re-registration process.

TRADE WITH CHINA BOOSTING WEALTH IN VALLEY
--------------


7. (C) The business outlook is good for Kokand TV, and
Rajapov reports that revenues are much higher now for
independent television stations compared to five years ago.
He emphasized that the station marketing staff "aggressively
pursues advertisers and we have no problem finding them".
Rajapov attributed the robust advertising industry to booming
trade with China among residents of the Ferghana Valley, who
obtain Chinese goods via Kyrgyzstan to sell in the bazaars.
He also noted more Chinese investors and companies seem to be
establishing offices in the Ferghana Valley. There is also
now a direct flight from Ferghana City to Urumchi (as well as
from Tashkent to Urumchi),which has increased the volume and
perception of direct trade with China. Rajapov pointed out
that "some people definitely have money in the Valley", which
he said contributed to a steep rise in real estate prices.
He said an apartment that would have cost $5,000 in Kokand a
few years ago now costs $15,000, in part because "real estate
is a better place to put money than banks".

TOUGH TIMES FOR MANY
--------------


8. (C) On the other hand, Rajapov conceded that life is hard
for many in his viewing audience, particularly in rural
areas. He said problems in the Ferghana Valley could "spread
like a fire" because there are many poor people in parts of
three different countries who live in a densely populated
area that is historically linked. The rising prices,
including for real estate, make it harder for young couples
to buy homes in urban areas, so they often stay in crowded
rural households. He noted that mortgages are a concept that
might work in Tashkent but are nonexistent in the Ferghana
Valley. Poloff spoke with fruit vendors in a Tashkent bazaar
who live in the Ferghana Valley and travel to the capital
regularly to sell produce, and they described farm life "as
very hard, very bad" due to rising prices.

GOOD WILL TOWARDS AMERICA
--------------


9. (C) The Ferghana Valley is often described as the most
conservative part of Uzbekistan, where Islamic terrorist
groups may find adherents among the restive population.
There are clearly more people wearing traditional,
conservative clothing compared to other parts of Uzbekistan.
However, Rajapov said his audience has a positive attitude
towards the United States despite recent world events and the
chill in bilateral relations. He noted that, more than any
place else, people in the Valley still want to hear about

TASHKENT 00001765 003.2 OF 003


America, watch American programs, and try to get a US visa.
On this trip poloff traveled in Kokand, Margilon, and
Ferghana City and met only hospitable people in bazaars and
businesses who were excited to talk about America. Several
asked where poloff was on September 11 and offered their
sympathy. People feel that tourism is increasing,
particularly at the traditional Yodgorlik Silk Workshop in
Margilon, where busloads of foreign tourists come daily
during the high season. Previously, Ferghana Valley
residents felt far removed from the typical Tashkent -
Samarqand - Bukhara tourist axis, so they appreciate the
influx of foreign visitors. People noted that most visitors
are European, but they hope to see more Americans.

SECURITY SERVICES FOLLOW UP
--------------


10. (C) Poloff observed an undercover police car (with red
lights embedded in the front grille) parked outside the
restaurant where poloff and desk officer had lunch with
Kokand TV staff. PAS spoke with Rajapov on October 9 and
learned that NSS agents called him in for questioning shortly
after poloff's visit. Despite this intimidation, Rajapov
said his relationship with the embassy is important to him
and he intended to continue contact. (Note: Embassy
informed MFA via diplomatic note in advance of intended
travel to Ferghana Valley but did not list Kokand TV as a
destination. End note).

COMMENT
--------------


11. (C) Despite NSS surveillance, the trip was productive and
yielded valuable insight on two points. First, USG-funded
projects like Kokand TV continue to bring tangible benefits
to residents, even after the bilateral relationship soured,
and appear to be tolerated by the government. Second, the
economic picture in the Ferghana Valley appears as mixed as
elsewhere in Uzbekistan. New wealth is being created, goods
previously not available or hard to find may be more
abundant, and yet at the same time for many people life has
become terribly difficult.
NORLAND