Zafar Saidzoda, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Head of the CIS Department of the Institute for the Study of Problems of Asian and European Countries of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan and former press secretary to the head of state, sent an open letter to the President of the country, Emomali Rahmon, with proposals for the comprehensive strengthening of the information security of the Republic of Tajikistan and the improvement of the socio-economic status of media workers.
In the appeal, which Zafar Saidzoda published on his Facebook page, he noted that in the context of rapid transformations of the global information space and the strengthening of national sovereignty, “the role of professional, patriotically oriented, and socially protected media workers becomes especially significant.” However, currently, journalists working in state media face problems such as low wages, lack of social guarantees, and limited opportunities for professional growth.
The letter proposes measures to improve the situation of journalists.
Financial and economic measures:
Creation of a Presidential Fund to support the media with annual grants for the development of editorial offices and subsidies for salaries.
Increasing the basic salary rate of journalists in state media by at least 100% from the current level.
Introducing preferential mortgages for journalists, similar to those for teachers and doctors.
Socio-professional measures:
Establishment of a Republican Center for the advanced training of journalists.
Introduction of the title “People’s Journalist of the Republic of Tajikistan” with an annual award.
Guaranteed medical insurance for all accredited journalists.
Regulatory and legal initiatives:
Adoption of the Law “On State Support for Media Workers” to establish the status of a journalist as a socially significant profession.
Amending the Tax Code to exempt journalists with income below the national average from personal income tax.
In developing the proposals, according to Saidzoda, international experience from countries like Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan was considered. For example, in Russia, a program to support regional media has been in place since 2021, in Uzbekistan, the “Media for the Future” program was implemented from 2020 to 2023, and in Kazakhstan, the salary of journalists in state media has been systematically increased since 2022.
In conclusion, Zafar Saidzoda asked the president to consider issuing a decree and instructing responsible ministries and departments to prepare and implement a plan of measures to improve the status of media workers in Tajikistan.
Commenting on his proposals in a brief interview with “Asia-Plus,” Zafar Saidzoda noted that the awarding of the title “People’s Journalist” implies all journalists, regardless of whether they work in state or private media.
“For the state, for obvious reasons, state media cannot but be a priority. But the Presidential support fund should be created for all media, without exceptions,” he said.
Saidzoda also added that he addressed the president with this letter back in the fall of last year. “The issue is currently under consideration,” he added.
