President Saparmurat Niyazov, leader of the former Soviet republic, Turkmenistan, has ordered a ban on lip synching performances across the tightly controlled nation, citing "a negative effect on the development of singing and musical art," the president's office said Tuesday 08/22/2005. In addition, he has banned the playing of recorded music (including karaoke) at all public events, on television and at weddings.

Turkmenistan BANS Recorded Music

Turkmenistan BANS Lip Syncing

Scott