KHUJAND, February 6, 2010, Asia-Plus — Chairman of the Khujand-based journalists’ association, MGM, Farrukh Ahrorov considers that cessation of publication of independent newspapers will take Tajikistan back by decades.
“Lawsuits filed by Tajik officials against several independent newspapers within a short space of time probably have a common reason,” said Ahrorov, “This is scarcely connected with the upcoming parliamentary election, because authorities have many other peaceful and technologically tested methods to enlist media’s support during the pre-election campaign.”
According to him, most likely, journalists found themselves in the center of uneasy disputes between political “heavyweights.”
“However, one may say with certainty that image of these newspapers will considerably rise among their audience in any result, because the findings of numerous surveys show that people are almost always inclined to side with those persecuted,” said the MGM head, “That is why experienced politicians and public figures in advanced societies try to avoid public polemics with media, because this may undermine image of these people considerably.”
He noted that the uneasy situation had emerged and settlement of this situation would determine, in considerable degree, further prospects of independent media in the country.
“It would be a great pity if achievements of Tajik journalism that have been reach in recent years fell to the ground suddenly,” he stressed. “In many aspects, this will take our country back by decades and will definitely affect the investment climate.”
