DUSHANBE, April 28, 2016, Asia-Plus -- On Monday April 25, U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Elisabeth Millard, along with Munim Olamov, seventh Secretary General of the Media Alliance of Tajikistan and General Director of “ImruzNews,” attended the official launch of a new printing press intended for the use of Tajik independent media.

The U.S. Embassy provided the funding to procure this printer.  Twelve media organizations and outlets comprising the Media Alliance membership will use the printer to print editions of their newspapers.

Noting that May 3 is World Press Freedom Day, Ambassador Millard voiced the U.S. Government’s support for freedom of the press by saying “Freedom of expression is one of our country’s core values, and one that we promote in Tajikistan.  We sincerely hope that through the use of this printing press, your news agencies will prosper and access to information in Tajikistan will increase as more people are able to regularly read your newspapers.”  She noted that the printing press is but one of many grants the U.S. government has provided to Tajikistan’s media.

Since 1992, the United States has provided more than $1 billion in assistance to support Tajikistan’s economic growth, democratic institutions, health care, education, and security.