MCLEOD GANJ, India, 20 July 2007 — Tibetan journalists called on the Chinese government to respect freedom of speech in China, and stop banning websites and blogs.

All the members of the Association unanimously adopted a resolution to send a letter of protest concerning the banning of free flow of news and information by the Chinese government. They urged the PRC to allow the banned website www.tibetcm.com to be re-opened immediately. The letter, addressed to the Chinese Ambassador in Delhi, was posted on 17 July.

The journalists also expressed concern over the safety of the editor, Kyabchen Dedol, and others involved with the website.

The journalists were meeting in the fifth seminar of the Association of Tibetan Journalists, held for two days on 12 and 13 July at the DIIR hall in Dharamshala. KIOS, the Finnish NGO Foundation for Human Rights, sponsored the seminar.

One of the sessions consisted of interaction by both Tibetan and Indian journalists with the members of the exile Tibetan government — Dolma Gyari, the Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, Sonam Norbu Dagpo, the Secretary for International Relations of the Tibetan government-in-exile, and Tenzin Lodoe, the press coordinator of the office of the Dalai Lama.

Various issues relating to proper functioning of the journalists were raised during the interaction. The officials expressed their support and promised full cooperation wherever assistance is practical.

Jamyang Norbu, one of the most renowned Tibetan writers in English, spoke about his personal observations on Tibetan media today. Norbu was the editor of the Tibetan language newspaper — Mang-tso (Democracy) — the most popular paper in the exile Tibetan community in the 1990s.

Norbu expressed his views on the important role that journalists play in the Tibetan freedom struggle, and emphasized that the news and views should be based on truth.

He made a special mention of Tharchin Babu, the editor of the first Tibetan newspaper — Tibet Mirror (Estd. 1925) — elaborating on his achievements as a journalist and a publisher, carrying out the daunting task in real "one man army" style.

Amendment of the constitution of ATJ was another important highlight of the seminar. Some new clauses were added, while some old clauses were updated.

However, the journalists opted out of requesting the Tibetan parliament-in-exile to amend Article 12 of the Charter of the Tibetan government-in-exile. This idea was initially floated in 2005 and approved by majority of the journalists, based on a study of the article 19 of the constitution of India.

In another action, ATJ condemned Loten, a then reporter of Tibet Times newspaper, who selfishly decided to stay back in the US after going there for a reporting assignment to cover the Dalai Lama's tour in May. He sent only one report as a part of his assignment!

Passang Dhondhen, a reporter of Voice of Tibet radio, who was also selected for the May coverage, returned after fulfilling his duties. They both were commissioned by ATJ, and sponsored by Norbu Creates of Japan.

Loten's disgraceful action prompted ATJ to stipulate new rules for such assignments in the future.

Report prepared by Lobsang Wangyal.