DUSHANBE, October 29, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- A group of Tajik journalists have applied to the government asking to assist with tackling electricity shortage problems facing Tajik media during the winter months.

A roundtable meeting on issues related to providing information service under conditions of energy crisis that was held in Dushanbe on October 28 resulted in adoption of an appeal to the government for inclusion of the publishing house Sharqi Ozod on the list of facilities of statewide importance that are not affected by electricity rationing.  

In their appeal, the journalists also noted that with support of international organizations active in Tajikistan the government should create conditions for establishment of information centers in other cities of the country that could be used by local journalists to provide society with information during electricity shortages.  

The journalists also proposed to set up monitoring groups consisting of senior representatives of the country’s energy sector, media and public associations.  The also suggested that top managers of Barqi Tojik (Tajik electric systems) power holding should give press conferences twice a month.