DUSHANBE, June 13, Asia-Plus - Tajikistan’s Committee for TV and Radio-broadcasting has banned broadcast of a joint netting program “Paivand” launched by independent TV stations “TV “Asia” (Khujand), SM-1 (Khujand), “Guli Bodom” (Konibodom), “Jahonoro” (Chkalovsk), Gulakanzod (Jabborrasulov district), “Simo” (Panjakent), “Mavji Ozod” (Vose) and Regar“ (Tursunzoda) have applied to the Committee for permission to broadcast a joint netting program “Paivand”, according to information from the National Association of the Independent Media of Tajikistan (Nansmit).  

The source in the Nansmit monitoring service has told Asia-Plus that the Committee for TV and Radio-broadcasting has justified its decision to put ban on broadcast of this program by saying that with broadcasting the “Paivand” program the TV stations would violate the provisions on features of licensing separate types of activities of TV and radio organizations.  

“Holders of broadcasting licenses do not have the right to change the TV and radio-broadcasting grid and character of programs stated in the license without appropriate permission of the body granting the license therefore we request them to stop broadcasting others’ programs, including the “Paivand” program, and apply for production of the joint (netting) program to the Licensing Commission, otherwise the State TV and Radio Inspectorate will introduce administrative measures against them,” the source quoted an instruction as saying.  

“When the broadcast monopolist – Committee for TV and Radio-broadcasting – joins the business, requirements of law and logic recede into the background,” Nansmit cited a common opinion of heads of the independent TV stations.