The international non-governmental organization “Reporters Without Borders” (Reporters Sans Frontieres) has downgraded Tajikistan to the lowest category in its annual press freedom ranking. This year, Tajikistan ranked 153rd out of 180 countries, falling from the “problematic” category to the lowest category – “very serious.” Last year, the country was in 152nd place. The report “World […]
The international non-governmental organization “Reporters Without Borders” (Reporters Sans Frontieres) has downgraded Tajikistan to the lowest category in its annual press freedom ranking.
This year, Tajikistan ranked 153rd out of 180 countries, falling from the “problematic” category to the lowest category – “very serious.” Last year, the country was in 152nd place.
The report “World Press Freedom Index 2023” was published on May 3, in honor of World Press Freedom Day.
In the press freedom ranking, Tajikistan is grouped with countries such as Russia, Belarus, China, North Korea, Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.
Even Afghanistan, where the Taliban seized power, ranked 152nd, one position better than Tajikistan.
Experts believe that Tajikistan has worsened its position in the press freedom ranking due to repression against journalists.
“Journalists who criticize the government risk facing physical violence, threats, detention, and even imprisonment by law enforcement and security services. Journalists find it nearly impossible to cover issues that the government considers ‘sensitive’ without endangering themselves, their friends, and their families. In 2022, four journalists received harsh sentences of up to ten years in prison,” the organization’s report states.
In recent years, Tajik law enforcement has imprisoned several well-known journalists and bloggers on fabricated charges for long terms. Journalist Khurshed Fazilov, who was recently detained and accused of membership in banned organizations, is currently in a pre-trial detention center awaiting trial.