Has the press in Tajikistan become freer?

Tajikistan has risen 10 positions in the press freedom ranking compared to 2021.

Photo: Internet

On May 3, the international organization “Reporters Without Borders” published its annual ranking of countries by press freedom for 2022, according to which Tajikistan rose ten positions compared to last year (from 162nd last year to 152nd this year).

In 2021, Tajikistan ranked 162nd, placing it in the group of countries of serious concern. This year, it has moved out of that list but still remains among countries with a difficult press freedom situation.

In 2022, “Reporters Without Borders” used a new methodology for the first time to compile the ranking, which considers five additional indicators to determine the press freedom situation: political, economic, social, legal frameworks, and security situation.

According to the new methodology, Tajikistan ranks 164th out of 180 countries on the political indicator with 33.79 points, 152nd on the economic indicator with 29.85 points, 139th on legal indicators with 48.68 points, 154th on social indicators with 46.0 points, and 132nd on security with 42.96 points.

The report notes that “the repressive tendencies of President Emomali Rahmon, officially referred to as the ‘founder of national peace and unity and leader of the nation,’ are steadily increasing.” More journalists are choosing emigration, while those who decide to stay in their homeland resort to self-censorship.

“Journalists are persecuted, intimidated, and blackmailed. Some are officially classified as ‘terrorists.’ Reporters who criticize the government risk facing physical violence, intimidation, arrest, and even imprisonment by law enforcement and security services,” the report states.

The report also emphasizes the blocking of independent news websites as one of the obstacles to press freedom. Independent media have limited access to information.

Over the past year, Russia has fallen in the ranking from 150th to 155th position.

The authors of the report note that “the Kremlin has significantly increased pressure on independent media. More than a hundred journalists and entire editorial teams were declared ‘foreign agents’ in 2021, forcing many to cease operations.”

Among Central Asian countries, according to “Reporters Without Borders,” “a certain degree of press freedom and pluralism” exists only in Kyrgyzstan, which ranks 72nd in the organization’s ranking. Kazakhstan ranks 122nd, and Uzbekistan — 133rd. The worst result in the region was shown by Turkmenistan – 177th place.

The situation with press freedom in Russia is ranked 155th, in China – 175th, in Turkmenistan – 177th, and in Iran – 178th, assessed as “causing serious concern.”

The top three countries for press freedom are Scandinavian countries, including Norway – 1st place, Denmark – 2nd place, and Sweden – 3rd place.

Iran, Eritrea, and North Korea close the ranking.