By Aslibegim Manzarshoeva and Lola Olimova in Tajikistan
Residents say they’re forced to rely on word of mouth to get the latest news.
In the remote Tajik region of Badakhshan, people don’t turn to the radio, television or internet to find out what’s happening in other parts of the province or beyond. Instead, they go down to the bustling market in the region’s capital, Khorog. Just next to the market is a bus station, where a steady stream of travellers arrives bringing news of the outside world.
“You find out the latest news here, long before you get the national newspapers,” said 32-year old Davlatbek. “The drivers will tell you quicker than our media.”
Badakhshan, a large region consisting of inhospitable high-altitude terrain in south-eastern Tajikistan, is home to more than 200,000 people.
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Pamir Media’s head, Qurbon Alamshoev, said donor organisations neglect the region because of a perception that the Aga Khan Foundation, AKF, is already providing enough support there. AKF, which came to Tajikistan in 1995, is part of the Aga Khan Development Network, which supports projects in health, education, culture, rural and economic development. The organisation was set up by the Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the world’s Ismaili Muslims. The people of Badakhshan are mainly Ismailis, whereas Tajiks in the rest of the country are Sunni.
“When local journalists turn to these [international] organisations, they always point to the Aga Khan Foundation, but it does not have a specific programme designed to support media development,” said Alamshoev.
Mirshakar stressed the importance of investing in Badakhshan’s media.
Ismailimail 