ONI Testing Results
In 2008, OpenNet Initiative testing was conducted in Turkmenistan on a direct landline connection to TurkmenTelecom. The tests detected substantial filtering of local
and regional media and freedom-of-expression Web sites. Significantly, Azeri media
sites, including a popular multimedia site with an ‘‘.az’’ extension and an Azeri Web
site targeting corrupt officials, were blocked. The ONI revealed targeted filtering on a
number of other Web sites including those covering local and international women’s
rights, human rights, and narcotics, and one Web site containing information about
religious beliefs. An environmental site and a P2P site were also blocked. In addition,
a number of pornographic and gambling sites were blocked. The ONI also observed
reverse filtering of U.S. military domains. 40
Conclusion
The former Turkmen president exercised strict control over Turkmen society and
media, and restricted any information inconsistent with his widely propagandized
policies. The current president has pledged to seek a more lenient approach to leading
the country, but much still remains to be done. The scope of sensitive issues in Turkmenistan continues to be broad and may involve any criticism of the regime or independent opinion. Few citizens have access to the Internet, and most continue to fear
censorship and other unpredictable centralized methods of control. Until liberalization
of the Internet market occurs, such measures will continue to be a concern for most
Internet users in the country. The few international organizations providing Internet
access practice self-censorship in order to protect their staff and their diplomatic position. With so few users of the Internet and the massive risks facing any advocates of
freedom of speech, the government continues to hold the future of the Internet in
Turkmenistan entirely in its hands.
Notes
1. World Bank, World Development Indicators 2007, http://ddp-ext.worldbank.org/ext/ddpreports/
ViewSharedReport?&CF=&REPORT_ID=9147&REQUEST_TYPE=VIEWADVANCED.
2. Turkmenistan holds one of the world’s largest gas fields. See Energy Information Administration, ‘‘Turkmenistan Energy Profile,’’ September 16, 2009, http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/country/
country_energy_data.cfm?fips=TX.
3. BBC News, ‘‘Turkmen Go Back to Old Calendar,’’ April 24, 2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/
asia-pacific/7365346.stm.
Turkmenistan
245
In 2008, OpenNet Initiative testing was conducted in Turkmenistan on a direct landline connection to TurkmenTelecom. The tests detected substantial filtering of local
and regional media and freedom-of-expression Web sites. Significantly, Azeri media
sites, including a popular multimedia site with an ‘‘.az’’ extension and an Azeri Web
site targeting corrupt officials, were blocked. The ONI revealed targeted filtering on a
number of other Web sites including those covering local and international women’s
rights, human rights, and narcotics, and one Web site containing information about
religious beliefs. An environmental site and a P2P site were also blocked. In addition,
a number of pornographic and gambling sites were blocked. The ONI also observed
reverse filtering of U.S. military domains. 40
Conclusion
The former Turkmen president exercised strict control over Turkmen society and
media, and restricted any information inconsistent with his widely propagandized
policies. The current president has pledged to seek a more lenient approach to leading
the country, but much still remains to be done. The scope of sensitive issues in Turkmenistan continues to be broad and may involve any criticism of the regime or independent opinion. Few citizens have access to the Internet, and most continue to fear
censorship and other unpredictable centralized methods of control. Until liberalization
of the Internet market occurs, such measures will continue to be a concern for most
Internet users in the country. The few international organizations providing Internet
access practice self-censorship in order to protect their staff and their diplomatic position. With so few users of the Internet and the massive risks facing any advocates of
freedom of speech, the government continues to hold the future of the Internet in
Turkmenistan entirely in its hands.
Notes
1. World Bank, World Development Indicators 2007, http://ddp-ext.worldbank.org/ext/ddpreports/
ViewSharedReport?&CF=&REPORT_ID=9147&REQUEST_TYPE=VIEWADVANCED.
2. Turkmenistan holds one of the world’s largest gas fields. See Energy Information Administration, ‘‘Turkmenistan Energy Profile,’’ September 16, 2009, http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/country/
country_energy_data.cfm?fips=TX.
3. BBC News, ‘‘Turkmen Go Back to Old Calendar,’’ April 24, 2008, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/
asia-pacific/7365346.stm.
Turkmenistan
245