Turkmenistan Among World's Worst Censors

The "Rukhnama," containing the spiritual thoughts of President Saparmurat Niyazov and obligatory in mosques, alongside the Koran (ITAR-TASS) PRAGUE, May 2, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- The U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists has ranked Turkmenistan as one of the worst countries in the world for press freedoms.

Turkmenistan ranked third on a list of "10 Most Censored Countries" named in a report released ahead of World Press Freedom Day, on May 3.

The report notes that the Turkmen government owns all domestic media, appoints editors, and censors media content, and that President Saparmurat Niyazov personally approves the front-page content of the major daily newspapers.

It also states that all foreign publications are banned in Turkmenistan, and that the government has closed all libraries except one that houses the president's books.