Modern Tajik media face many challenges. Information and media outreach remain limited.  A regulatory framework is needed that is conducive to media development and that builds greater trust between state bodies and independent media. Media professionals lack up-to-date knowledge that can help them meet the challenges of the digital age. Media self-regulation, including promulgation and acceptance of an internally-negotiated code of ethics, is still in its infancy. Media consumers do not as yet have a strong voice in determining the direction or shape of media products and content.

The media development program aims to address these challenges and their underlying causes in a strategic manner. The Office assists media stakeholders with the practicalities of establishing the media as an independent democratic institution that serves audiences, and helps build the capacity of the government to resolve electronic media regulation issues.  In recent years, the OSCE Media Development program in Tajikistan has shifted away, step-by-step, from providing operational support to media outlets towards addressing the structural root problems that impede media development. 

Modern Media Policies

The media program provides many opportunities for co-operation and dialogue between government and independent media on how to improve choice, accessibility, quality and competitiveness of media content in an increasingly global competition for audiences.  These are especially important as Tajikistan prepares for digital switchover in 2015. Policy discussions also address the legal framework, freedom of expression and freedom of information issues.  In 2010, the Office supported the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media in organizing the 12th Central Asia Media Conference on “Access to Information and Information Technologies” in Dushanbe and a government-civil society workshop to review the draft law on the press and other mass media.

Ethical and Professional Standards

The Office has co-operatively supported the Tajik journalist community to formulate a code of ethics and to establish strong self-regulation mechanisms that help build trust with audiences and state authorities. Support to this initiative resulted in October 2009 in the election of the Tajik Media Council, the first media-self regulation body in the country. In 2010 the Office supported the Media Council to start its work and provided opportunities that enabled it to promote professional ethics in Tajik journalism. In 2010, a additional 15 media outlets signed up to the mechanism and agreed to its code of ethics. Over 230 journalists discussed professional ethics in 13 media self-regulation body open meetings held in Dushanbe, Istaravshan, Khujand, Kanibadam, Isfara, Kurgan-Teppe and Kulyab.

Improving Access to Information

Technical support to independent media is aimed to increase outreach and accessibility of their audiences. Since 2008, the Office has provided newsprint support to independent print media, helping them reach the break-even point in their business development.  Building on baseline research, the Office helped print media strengthen links to readers through conceptualizing a professional distribution system.  In 2010, publishers accounting for 75 percent of Tajikistan’s independent print media production formed a distribution cooperative. 

The Office has also supported the Republic Press Center, associated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to set up its technical base and to strengthen its management and marketing.