Representatives of the Tajik media community appealed to the authorities with a request to support “the fourth power” suffering from the global crisis
Forty media professionals and experts signed a joint appeal, which says that “Tajikistan’s mass media, as an integral part of the national economy and the society, is badly affected by the global financial crisis”.

Referring to latest independent studies among printing and electronic media, experts say that more than 90 percent of the domestic media are experiencing serious financial and logistical difficulties. “Circulation of newspapers has dropped on the average by 30-40 percent. This is caused by the lowered buying interest, the growing prices on services and expandable materials, and inability to advertise media products”, the appeal says.

Tajik journalists note that in most of developed countries governments pay due attention to the special role of the media in the system of governance and public life, creating favorable conditions to the press.

“Many governments introduce tax incentives for the media; they provide the media with financial donations. One such example is Kazakhstan, where the government provides the media with grants and exempts them from excessive taxes”, — says the appeal. Many of the Tajik media are on the verge of bankruptcy.

Media experts also say that the lack of the government’s support might lead to closure of many printing outlets, TV and radio companies, which might seriously affect Tajikistan’s information security and deteriorate its image.

NANSMIT Monitoring Service