Tibetan media's role towards promotion of democracy underlined

Monday, 17 December 2007, 5:15 p.m.

The president of Association of Tibetan Journalist, Mr Lobsang Wangyal (Left) addresses a gathering of Tibetan journalists at the Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamshala, on 17 December 2007/Sangjey Kep

Dharamshala: "The Tibetan media - including the print and electronic - have the responsibility to promote democracy and freedom of speech," said Mr Thubten Samphel this morning, during a function to mark the 10th founding anniversary of the Association of Tibetan Journalists (ATJ).

Mr Samphel said, "The democracy bestowed upon Tibetan people by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is very precious ... so, the various sections of Tibetan press must promote it."

Refuting the allegation that the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) viewed some Tibetan press as an impediment, he said, "The CTA always respect the principle of freedom of speech and democracy as enshrined in the exile Tibetan Charter."

During the function, the ATJ honoured renowned Tibetan poet and essayist, Tsering Woeser with the Freedom of Speech award, for her intrepid writings calling for freedom of speech and telling the real situation inside Tibet based on facts. A reporter of the Voice of Tibet, took the award on behalf of the writer.

Mr Thubten Samphel, secretary for Information of the Department of Information and International Relations, holds the medal to be presented to the renowned writer, Tsering Woeser

In 1988, she graduated from South West University for Nationalities in Chengdu with a degree in Chinese literature. She worked as a reporter in Kardze and later in Lhasa and has lived in Beijing since 2003 as a result of political problems.

In his briefing, the ATJ President Lobsang Wangyal said the association aims to provide information based on truth, regarding activities relating to the Tibetan community, both within and outside of Tibet.

"It also acts as a bridge between the Central Tibetan Administration and the people through the dissemination of information, and by providing a forum for discussion on issues of major importance and other related activities." he added.

Established in September 1997, ATJ is an independent non-profit making organisation, which aims to facilitate free, fair and accurate delivering of news of the situation and developments both within and outside Tibet and to protect the democratic right of freedom of speech.

  (www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.)

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