Today, the President of the country Emomali Rahmon met with numerous representatives of mass media on the occasion of 100th anniversary of national press.

The Head of state Emomali Rahmon congratulated the representatives of country’s press on this historic date, and wished them health, happiness and great creative successes.

President of the country Emomali Rahmon, recalling the centennial history of Tajik press, including its first years and crucial activities of master Sadriddin Aini, highlighted the important role of mass media in creation and development of a newest statehood of Tajiks.

With reference to significance of mass media in history of nation and social progress, the Head of state Emomali Rahmon stated: - “100th anniversary of Tajik press is not only the holiday of press representatives, but it is also a national holiday”.

Reminding of the three stages of Tajik press development, namely the stage before the revolution, Soviet era, and the period of independence, the President of the country Emomali Rahmon stressed that it is in the period of Tajikistan’s state independence that the number of mass media, particularly independent mass media, have increased for several times. It was noted that “in 1991 only one information agency existed in the country and of 139 newspapers and journals only four newspapers were private. However, at present 446 newspapers and journals are being published, of which 270 are social and private. Of ten registered information agencies, 9 are private, and of 44 radio and television channels 28 are private, too”.

The Head of state Emomali Rahmon called the state and independent mass media “two united branches of Tajik press” and in public administration “assistants of state and government”.

A number of famous journalists of the country and veterans of this sphere were conferred with state awards, among which are order Sharaf 2nd degree, Medal for Merit, Honorary Diploma of the Republic of Tajikistan, and valuable gifts and souvenirs such as television set, computer, and others.