TURKMENISTAN: MEDIA REACTION ON FEBRUARY POST EVENTS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000320 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, IIP, ECA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV SCUL KPAO TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: MEDIA REACTION ON FEBRUARY POST EVENTS ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (U) SUMMARY: In February, media provided generally accurate coverage of Post-conducted events. Embassy press releases played a large role in shaping the stories carried in state and non-state media. While one TV news program omitted any mention of USAID's role in opening a new program, other state outlets provided clear and accurate information about USAID's role. Other stories were favorable and accurate, including a U.S. outlet's coverage of Turkmen FLEX exchange students currently in the United States. END SUMMARY. MEDIA HIGHLIGHT OPENING OF THE IFRS TRAINING CENTER ¶3. (U) On February 14, the Government-run website "Turkmenistan Golden Age" (www.turkmenistan.gov.tm) (Turkmen, Russian and English),the state-run dailies "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 46,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 36,091),all drew on the Embassy's press release, when they accurately highlighted the IFRS training center opening at Turkmenistan's Supreme Council of Science and Technology, as part of USAID's EREC (Economic Reforms to Enhance Competitiveness) Project. The article praised the importance and role of the center in developing international financial reporting in Turkmenistan. The story correctly quoted the Charge, who emphasized the significance of the center for Turkmenistan's educational policy and its further integration into the global economy. The same day, Azeri news agency "Trend" (Russian, English) referred to the Embassy press release, in a similar article on the event. ¶4. (U) On February 13, "Watan" TV evening news program (Turkmen) highlighted the center opening, and credited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Supreme Council of Science and Technology. The report made no mention of USAID or U.S. assistance. However, the following day, "Turkmenistan" TV channel (Russian, Turkmen, English, Chinese, Arabian, Persian, French) gave an accurate but brief report on the opening in its hourly news. The same TV channel provided a lengthier, and accurate piece which it broadcast on February 16. The story used interview remarks by the Charge, USAID Country Director and the EREC Regional Coordinator, and a representative from the state Higher Education Institute. (NOTE: All State TV stations received the Embassy press release, but only "Turkmenistan" TV channel used it in their reports. END NOTE.) STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHT BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN TURKMENISTAN ¶5. (U) On February 25, the Government-run website "Turkmenistan Golden Age" (www.turkmenistan.gov.tm) (Turkmen, Russian and English) and state-run dailies "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 46,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 36,091) posted an accurate article on Black History Month (BHM) events in Turkmenistan. The article featured historical facts on BHM celebrations in the United States and highlighted Embassy-conducted presentations on the occasion. (NOTE: The article was based on Post-provided resources. END NOTE.) MEDIA HIGHLIGHT POTUS MESSAGE TO TURKMEN PRESIDENT ¶6. (U) On February 1, the Government-run website "Turkmenistan Golden Age" (www.turkmenistan.gov.tm) (Turkmen, Russian and English) posted President Obama's message to the Turkmen leader, thanking his counterpart for his congratulations on winning the U.S. presidential elections. The same day, the "Watan" TV evening news program (Turkmen) and Russian news agency "RIA Novosti" accurately carried the same message. The following day, state-run dailies "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 46,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 36,091) on their front pages, pro-government website "Turkmenistan.ru" (Russian, English),Washington based "ISRIA" (English),Azeri news agency "Trend" (Russian, English),and "Fergana.ru" (Russian) accurately reprinted the message in full. AZERI NEWS AGENCY PICKS UP EMBASSY PRESS RELASES ¶7. (U) On February 3, Azeri news agency "Trend" (English),posted ASHGABAT 00000320 002 OF 002 accurate story on USAID-funded Potential Project workshop on combating drug addiction and HIV prevention in Turkmenistan using the pos-issued press release. MEDIA HIGHLIGHT U.S. LECTURERS' VISIT ¶8. (U) In mid-February, two professors from the College of Agriculture at the University of Nevada visited Turkmenistan for ten days to conduct lectures at Turkmenistan's University of Agriculture. On February 10, the Government-run website "Turkmenistan Golden Age" (www.turkmenistan.gov.tm) (Turkmen, Russian and English),state-run dailies "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 46,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 36,091) introduced the visit on their front pages. On February 26, the RFE/RL Turkmen language broadcast carried a generally accurate interview with the professors, highlighting the goal of the visit and prospects for future student exchanges and cooperation. U.S. WEBSITE AND STATE MEDIA HIGHLIGHT EDUCATION EXCHANGES ¶9. (U) On January 30, www.carlislemosquito.com posted an accurate and long article about two FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange) program students from Turkmenistan. The article praised the State Department exchange program and stressed its value and importance. The students actively took part in campaigning for Obama and in other community events. ¶10. (U) On January 30, the government-run website "Turkmenistan Golden Age" (www.turkmenistan.gov.tm) (Turkmen, Russian and English) ran an accurate and long article on a Turkmen educational delegation's participation in an international conference on educational reforms at the Harriman Institute of Columbia University in late January. The following day, state-run dailies "Neytralniy Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 46,091) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 36,091) carried the content in full. STATE TV CARRIES CHARGE'S CONGRATULATION MESSAGE ¶11. (U) On February 14, "Turkmenistan" TV channel (Russian, Turkmen, English, Chinese, Arabian, Persian, French) accurately carried the Charge's congratulatory message on the second anniversary of President Berdymuhamedov's inauguration. The program emphasized the growing American-Turkmen relationship and praised the reform policy of Turkmenistan. On February 17, "Altyn Asyr" TV channel (Turkmen) rebroadcast the same coverage. ¶12. (SBU) COMMENT: Other than Watan's omission of any USAID role in the opening of the IFRS training center, state media coverage was generally accurate and favorable to Embassy programs. However, this omission may reflect a slowly growing divergence between the content and editorial decisions made on the still very similar state TV channels. Separately, the Embassy has found that press releases have continued to help shape accurate reporting in state media and other media outlets. END COMMENT. MILES