Tajik independent news agency TojNews has suspended operations.   

The Indem think tank, which owed news agency TojNews, has noted that it suspends operations of TojNews on November 14.

“This decision was not unexpected for us and well-informed community of Tajikistan.  We have already expected that our turn will come after the closure of the independent newspaper Nigoh.  Such a fate awaits one-two more independent publications of Tajikistan.  The reason is clear: there are no any more appropriate conditions for operations of independent publications and free journalism in Tajikistan,” says a statement posted on TojNews’ website.

The news agency expresses hope that such a situation will not be eternal in Tajikistan.

By Indem’s decision the news agency’s archive is considered national property and all materials, including special projects, can be used without observance of author rights. 

Recall, the owners of the independent Tajik newspaper Nigoh (View) have suspended operations on November 2 ahead of the outlet's 10th anniversary.

Nigoh's owner, the Indem think tank, said in a statement that it would halt printing the newspaper due to a “lack of appropriate conditions.”

The statement gave no further details, adding “we can make no further comment.”

Tajik media organizations have released a statement expressing concern about the closure of the independent social and political newspaper Nigoh.

The statement released by the National Association of Independent Media of Tajikistan (Nansmit) and Tajikistan’s Media Council, in particular, notes that withdrawal of Nigoh from the country’s information space will narrow place for pluralism of opinions in Tajik society even more.