Tajikistan’s media environment is best described as controlled. What news sources the government isn’t in control of often practice self-censorship to avoid punishment from the government. Though according to President Rahmon Tajikistan has 446 newspapers, 270 of which are private, most private papers are considered tabloids and newspaper readership is low, especially in rural areas where 70% of the population lives. A similar story is true of TV and radio—28 out of 44 TV and radio stations may be private, but these stations are not all country-wide, and as mentioned above, likely self-censor. See Knowledge Monopolies for more about the government’s role in news media.

 

Other news and entertainment media Tajiks get is from outside of the country—usually from Russia and the U.S. Russian news organizations like Russia Today are widely read in Tajikistan and Russian films, along with Hollywood and Bollywood films, are widely watched. In fact, Hollywood movies are helping Tajiks learn English. The broadcasting of Russian films on Tajik TV helped teach many Tajiks Russian (the country’s second language), and the hope is that the same will be true of English. Only 5% of the country speaks English, but many want to learn and enjoy American movies like The Great Gatsby and songs like “Work” by Rihanna. Watch video

 

The government also handed out iPads to 2000 Tajik youth.