DUSHANBE, February 25, 2011, Asia-Plus – Owners of independent Tajik newspapers are complaining that a new ban on selling newspapers on the streets of Dushanbe is hurting sales, Radio Liberty’s Tajik Service reports.
Zafar Sufi, the owner and chief editor of the weekly newspaper, Ozodagon , told RFE/RL on February 23 that most people buy newspapers on their way to work or when they walk in the city center, and the ban curbs those purchases.
Sufi said that when the Dushanbe municipal administration banned street sales of newspapers, sellers had to build new booths. But most newspaper sellers can''t afford to buy the booths and, as a result, newspapers are incurring financial losses because of lower street sales.
Shavkat Saidov, a spokesman for the Dushanbe mayor, said on February 23 that the ban on street sales does not apply only to newspapers. He said the new regulations prohibit placing any item for sale on the ground, whether newspapers or food products.
Saidov said vendors should keep newspapers in their bags or sell them from booths. He added that it is even permissible to sell newspapers on public transport if the newspapers are kept in bags.
The head of the Union of Journalists of Tajikistan, Akabar Sattor, told RFE/RL that police sometimes abuse their authority when seeking to prevent the sale of merchandise on the streets.
Other observers see the ban on street sales of newspapers as part of a broader political campaign against the independent press.
They say other methods being used by authorities are court cases against many independent publications and the raising of VAT on January 1 from 4 percent to 18 percent. They say this trend by the government threatens the freedom of information.
Congratulations on Vicotry Day
The world's most popular sport now has its own day for fans to celebrate — May 25
A conference expected to be held in Dushanbe next week to discuss once again the media law on media
Iran can serve as gateway for Central Asian countries to internal markets, says Iranian ambassador to Tajikistan
Another incident with use of firearms occurs on Tajik-Kyrgyz border
All five Central Asian leaders to attend Victory Day events in Moscow
Tajikistan ranked 1550th out of 180 countries and territories in terms of press freedom
By president’s order Tajik war veterans will receive 40,000 somonis each on the occasion of Victory Day
Tajikistan signs the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action
Italy to host the 58th ADB Annual Meeting in 2025
All news
Авторизуйтесь, пожалуйста