Fast Facts Language: Turkmen Established: 1953 Distribution: Radio (AM, SW, satellite), Internet Coverage: Eight hours daily Locations: Prague Staff: 9 (Prague), 12 stringers

Media Environment

• Freedom House Freedom of the Press Index, 2012: Not Free (196th/197)
• Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, 2012: 177th/179. Turkmenistan was also named an “Enemy of the Internet” by RSF.
• Turkmenistan remains one of the most closed societies in the world.
• RFE/RL has neither a bureau nor accredited journalists in Turkmenistan. Stringers and freelancers work under routine surveillance and, together with their families, are often subject to harassment and intimidation.
• Internet access is controlled through state bodies. Radio Azatlyk's website, azathabar.com is blocked, and visitors must use proxy server software to access the site.

Highlights

• Radio Azatlyk regularly reports on social issues and trends that other Turkmen media will not. Reports on topics including homelessness, poor housing construction, and travel bans for Turkmen citizens have sparked government action to improve facilities and social services.
• Radio Azatlyk’s coverage of human rights issues has helped bring about the release of activists and journalists from prisons and detention sites.
• In July 2011, Radio Azatlyk broke news about a massive arms warehouse explosion near the capital, Ashgabat forcing the government to revise its initial denials.
• During the 2010 revolt in Kyrgyzstan, Radio Azatlyk was the only media outlet in the Turkmen language to report on the status of Turkmen students studying in Kyrgyzstan. Radio Azatlyk’s coverage helped return students safely home.
• In 2010, Azatlyk correspondent Ashyrkuli Bayriyev received the David Burke Distinguished Journalism Award from the Broadcasting Board of Governors in recognition of his dedication to the advancement of freedom and democracy.
• Radio Azatlyk journalist Oguljamal Yazliyeva testified at the OSCE Review Conference in Astana, Kazakhstan, in 2010, on the subject of free media in Turkmenistan.

updated: 9 April 2012

Population
5.1 million (2012 World Bank estimate)

Most Common Languages:
Turkmen, Russian, Uzbek

Press Freedom Index (Freedom House):
Not Free, ranked 196 out of 197 (2012)

Press Freedom Index (RSF):
173 out of 175 (2012)

Corruption Index (Transparency Int.):
177 out of 183 (2011)

Global Peace Index (IES):
117 out of 149 (2011)

Human Rights Watch:
Report on Turkmenistan (2012)

Amnesty International:
Turkmenistan Report (2012)