Tajikistan Government Bias
Government
Government Type: Presidential Unitary State
Leader: President Emomali Rahmon
Political Party: The People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT) (Formally the Communist Party)
Political Position: Left, Secular, Tajik nationalism
Press Freedom
World Press Freedom Rank: Tajikistan 152/180
Reporters Without Borders notes that Government pressure has forced journalists to either self-censor or go into exile while drawing attention to President Emomali Rakhmon’s increasing repression.
Media Ownership and Government Analysis
President Emomali Rahmon and the People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT) have been ruling Tajikistan since 1994. In 2016, the President held a national referendum on a host of constitutional amendments, which passed, and he became a lifetime leader of Tajikistan. In 2020 his son Rustam Emomali was elected as chair of the parliament’s upper house, becoming officially second-in-line to the presidency; therefore the president and his family have monopolized power in Tajikistan.
Regarding Tajik media, the government, directly and indirectly, controls the media. The media is comprised of government-owned and privately-owned media outlets. TV is the most popular medium, with radio being popular in remote areas. The State-owned top TV channels are Jahonnamo, national broadcaster Televizioni Tojikiston (Shabakai Yakum), and TV Bahoriston. Privately owned SMT (Independent Television of Tajikistan), Radio Vatan, and Radio Imruz are also popular.
The print media comprises both government and privately owned papers such as the privately-owned Biznis I Politica, Asia-Plus, and government-owned, Jumhuriyat, Khalq Ovozi, and Narodnaya Gazeta. When it comes to the internet the government exerts pressure on critical voices, with social media sites frequently being blocked.
In Tajikistan, although there are privately owned outlets, they are financially not viable. Regardless of their type of ownership, they are subject to excessive government control and regulation. State-run and privately-owned broadcasters and newspapers are typically funded partly or entirely by the government. Therefore their news coverage follows only the government’s line, similar to China.
In summary, due to President Rahmon’s systematic campaign of repression and the government’s control over media, widespread censorship and a lack of pluratlity is prevalent.
Last Updated on May 19, 2022 by Media Bias Fact Check
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