Europe & Eurasia

Turkmenistan

{This graph represents scores that have been modified by CIMA so that higher scores indicate a better media situation. It is intended to show trends over time; each index measures significantly different factors of press freedom. To see an explanation for how this graph was created, click here.}

IREX Score: 0.35	[IREX Methodology]
{Higher is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 4.00}

IREX Description:

Turkmenistan has not had a single opposition party or a private media outlet during its nearly two decades of independence, or during the 70-some years of Soviet rule before that. But in 2010, President Berdymukhammedov suggested setting up opposition parties and private media in his country—unprecedented steps for one of the most politically restricted countries of the world.

However, many see through these efforts as attempts to burnish Turkmenistan's image internationally and profit from the country's vast natural gas reserves. The government enjoys absolute power in controlling the mass media outlets in the country, exercising strict censorship and harassment to control those journalists who persist in working independently, and to ensure that the media focus primarily on extolling the virtues of the country's leadership. With Turkmen officials apparently afraid of letting dissenting opinions air, the country has no independent media outlets.

Although the government controls new media as well, restricting online access, posting soldiers at the doors of Internet cafés, and blocking content, awareness of the Internet is growing steadily among the population. More citizens are taking advantage of social networking websites to discuss issues that matter to them, and a few brave journalists are writing blogs that provide citizens and foreigners alike deeper insights about the true state of affairs—including media developments and access to media technology.

Read more on IREX’s site…

Freedom House Score: 96 (Not Free)	[Freedom House Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to 100}

RSF Score: 95.33	[RSF Methodology]
{Lower is Better, Score Ranges from 0 to ~120}

Reporters Without Borders Description:

Despite encouraging words from President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov just before his election in February 2007, Turkmens are still without basic freedoms, especially free and independent news. The country’s opening up to international oil and gas firms has not yet helped to soften one of the world’s most repressive regimes. The privately-owned press is banned and journalists who want to work for independent media, all based outside the country, must do so secretly or endanger their safety and that of their families.

Europe & Eurasia

Turkmenistan

Country Profiles: Europe and Eurasia

All Country Profiles