The fate of a new draft law on mass media in Tajikistan — which aimed to support journalists and media outlets — remains uncertain. According to the bill’s developers, the current legislation fails to address all aspects of modern media activities, and the new draft could have improved the country’s information environment.
However, the government rejected the draft law, and since then, no efforts have been made to reconsider it.
Who drafted the law and when?
The draft law "On Mass Media" was prepared by members of the previous Majlisi Namoyandagon (Lower House of Parliament), with input from journalists, lawyers, and civil society organizations working in the media sector.
In June 2024, lawmakers and media representatives discussed the draft at a special session. The authors emphasized that the bill incorporated suggestions from civil society, media professionals, and government bodies, drawing on international expert recommendations and best practices.
The draft combined two previous laws — the 1996 "On Television and Radio Broadcasting" and the 2013 "On Periodical Press and Other Mass Media."
Following a decision by the Majlisi Namoyandagon Council on June 24, 2024, the draft was submitted to the government for review — but it was not approved.
Why did the government reject the bill?
On September 28, 2024, the government issued a decision rejecting the draft law, citing several key reasons:
- The bill was prepared "incomplete and of poor quality," failing to regulate key aspects of the industry.
- It "does not fully cover regulatory issues" and "does not sufficiently use the practical experience of government agencies."
- The government suggested adding separate chapters for each media type, detailing procedures for establishment, operation, state regulation, permits, and other requirements.
- Insufficient attention is given to the dissemination of foreign media within Tajikistan, especially regarding sovereignty, national security, territorial integrity, culture, and traditions.
- The bill lacks consistency with other legal acts, including the Constitution, Criminal Code, Civil Code, Administrative Offenses Code, as well as laws on Communications, Information, and Access to Information.
- Numerous spelling, grammatical, and technical errors were found, and the Russian version does not correspond to the Tajik original.
The government also proposed considering integrating some provisions of the draft into the upcoming new Information Code under development.
Why has no new working group been formed?
After completing work on the bill in late June 2024, the working group was disbanded. Despite the government’s rejection in September, no new group has been formed in the nine months since.
Faizullo Najmiddiyon, a parliamentary representative, confirmed to Asia-Plus that work on the bill is currently suspended and suggested that the new parliamentary convocation may revisit the issue after September.
Another parliamentary source explained that MPs of the sixth convocation, whose term expired in March 2025, were unable to create a new working group due to preparations for the president’s address and a five-year report.
Ranzhit Yatimov, a lawyer from the NGO "Khoma" and a former member of the working group, said the main structure of the bill is ready and only requires addressing the government’s remarks, which should not take much time.
What’s new in the draft law?
One of the key innovations is shortening the state registration period for media outlets, allowing online notifications rather than a lengthy permit process. This would have meant that periodicals and news agencies could notify regulators of their establishment simply, without submitting extra documents. Currently, it is reportedly necessary to obtain a certificate from the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan to register a media outlet.
The draft law also includes provisions to combat discrimination and regulate filming and dissemination of information. For example:
- Job advertisements targeting only one gender are prohibited.
- Publishing personal data of minors affected by crimes or suspected of offenses are banned.
- Journalists are allowed to take photos and videos in public places, at mass events, and socially significant occasions without needing individual consent.
- Use of publicly available information about individuals does not require their permission.
Such regulations had not been previously enshrined in Tajik law.
The draft also addresses journalist accreditation. According to Ranzhit Yatimov, it aims to remove existing barriers to accreditation for official events. Journalists, especially those working for foreign media, had complained about difficulties accessing such events.
The draft law obliges authorities to provide accredited journalists with all necessary materials — transcripts, protocols, and other documents — and create proper working conditions. Unjustified refusal of accreditation is prohibited, and journalists have the right to appeal such refusals in court.
