DUSHANBE, 07.11.2019 (NIAT Khovar) – By the request of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty leadership, the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon received the President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The meeting took place on November 7 in Zürich, Switzerland.

President Emomali Rahmon underlined that the Tajik government attaches great importance to the issues relating to the freedom of press and protecting the rights to the freedom of expression. He noted that necessary efforts are being made to create a free and stable atmosphere for the activity of the local and foreign media outlets.

He added that the recent news about the closure of the activity of Radio Ozodi (Radio Liberty) are false, noting that currently 18 of its employees are accredited in Tajikistan and each of them is working freely, whereas the activity of RFE / RL’s are strictly prohibited in several countries of the former Soviet Union (USSR).

There are more than 250 local and foreign independent media outlets working in Tajikistan.

President Emomali Rahmon mentioned that according to its own reports, Radio Ozodi has been engaging in propaganda of activities of terrorist groups which have been banned by the decision of the Supreme Court of Tajikistan, therefore such violations, regardless of their media affiliation, will not be allowed.

He  emphasized that the activity of any media outlet should not violate any laws, in particular the Laws on the Periodical Press and other Mass Media and that Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty leadership that RFE / RL should produce material reflecting the political, economic and social realities objectively by using the idea of civil society within the framework of its activities in the territory of Tajikistan.