Journalism or Propaganda? When Truth Becomes a Crime and Lies Become a Profession

Journalism or Propaganda? When Truth Becomes a Crime and Lies Become a Profession Journalism exists for society. Its mission is to speak the truth, highlight the problems of citizens, and protect the public’s right to information. A true journalist asks uncomfortable questions to those in power, investigates problems, and helps society understand reality. But when journalism begins to serve the authorities rather than society, it turns into propaganda. Propaganda is the systematic dissemination of distorted or false information aimed at hiding real problems and creating an illusion of well-being. Unfortunately, this is exactly what is happening today in Turkmenistan. State media constantly broadcast a “beautiful picture” of life: celebrations, new buildings, official ceremonies, reports about “achievements,” and endless praise of the authorities. But behind this picture lies a reality that propaganda prefers to ignore. This is the reality of: — mass labor migration of citizens — deteriorating infrastructure in the regions — lack of jobs — systemic corruption — absence of independent courts — censorship and suppression of freedom of speech — violations of fundamental human rights, including freedom of movement Today in Turkmenistan tiny pensions, salaries, and child benefits are completely disproportionate to the prices of basic food products, making a dignified life practically impossible for millions of citizens. Thousands of families are forced to live apart: parents leave the country to work abroad while children grow up without them. Even outside the country, citizens of Turkmenistan face new difficulties. Turkmen diplomatic missions frequently refuse to issue or renew passports for their own citizens, effectively depriving people of the ability to live and work legally abroad. This practice further worsens the situation of labor migrants and other Turkmen citizens living overseas, leaving many of them without documents and without basic legal protection. State media choose to remain silent about these issues. Instead of addressing the real problems of society, they create an informational illusion of prosperity. Moreover, in recent years this system of propaganda has increasingly been supported by so-called “independent bloggers” who present only a positive image of life in the country while ignoring the real challenges faced by society. As a result, a dangerous system is formed in which journalism works for the state and against citizens. The Human Rights Platform of the Civil Movement DAYANÇ / Turkmenistan believes that such practices require not only public condemnation but also legal evaluation. We are convinced that the international community must begin a discussion about introducing accountability for propaganda, particularly when media outlets deliberately spread distorted information, conceal human rights violations, and serve as instruments of manipulation. We propose considering the development of international legal mechanisms that would: — introduce accountability for the deliberate dissemination of propaganda that conceals real social problems — hold journalists and media structures accountable when they act in the interests of authorities against society — protect the public’s right to truthful and independent information — prevent the use of media as a tool of political manipulation Information is not a weapon of power against the people. Information is a right of society. And when journalism turns into propaganda, society has the right to demand accountability. Because silence about people’s problems is not journalism. It is complicity.