Tajik Service
Radio Ozodi is a trusted and popular media outlet with impactful reporting on issues not otherwise covered by Tajikistan’s state-run media.
Website visits
(January–December 2022)
Facebook video views
(January–December 2022)
YouTube video views
(January–December 2022)
Instagram video views
(January–December 2022)
About the Service
Radio Ozodi operates out of a bureau in Dushanbe and reports in Tajik and Russian.
Despite highly restrictive censorship, it’s the number one news website in Tajikistan, according to national media monitors.
Radio Ozodi is a critical source of news for over two million Tajik labor migrants in Russia.
Counters Russian disinformation about the war in Ukraine.
Reported on Tajiks killed fighting for Russia and forced mobilization of Tajik migrants.
Uncovered public corruption in trade with China that forced an official response.
Investigated a secret Chinese military base in Tajikistan and reported on the security situation along the Tajik-Afghan border.
Reported on Tajik security forces’ ongoing repression of influential Pamiris in response to May violence after a young man was killed.
Reaching Audiences
Media Climate
Reporters Without Borders’ Press Freedom Index ranks Tajikistan 153rd out of 180 countries.
In 2023, Radio Ozodi journalists were summoned to government agencies for “friendly conversations” more than 40 times.
Authorities regularly block Radio Ozodi’s website and refuse to accredit journalists.
Awards
Media Alliance of Tajikistan
Ozodi’s Mullorajab Yusufi was awarded the Grand Prize of the Media Alliance of Tajikistan for the best journalistic investigation.
2023 Editor’s Pick
The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) chose Ozodi’s investigation on President Rahmon’s pharmaceutical empire as a 2023 Editor’s Pick.
Latest Updates
RFE/RL Journalists Beaten In Tajikistan
In an escalation of harassment of journalists in Tajikistan, four RFE/RL journalists were beaten, threatened, and had their electronic equipment seized after conducting an interview.
Bipartisan Group Of U.S. Lawmakers Urge Rahmon To End Pressure On RFE/RL’s Tajik Service
A group of U.S. lawmakers has sent a letter to the Tajik President urging him to help end pressure and threats to RFE/RL’s Tajik Service journalists.
Threats To RFE/RL Journalists Multiply As World Marks Press Freedom Day
Media freedom is under severe pressure throughout RFE/RL’s 23-country coverage region.
Service Director
Salimjon Aioubov
Salimjon Aioubov is the Service Director of RFE/RL’s Tajik Service, known locally as Radio Ozodi. Previously, he was a senior broadcaster with RFE/RL’s Tajik Service, and Project Director for RFE/RL’s Central Asian Newswire, a platform that aggregates original RFE/RL reporting and other information for Central Asian media seeking independent news. Aioubov has worked for numerous Tajik print, radio, and television outlets over the course of two decades, covering the civil war in Tajikistan and UN-mediated inter-Tajik peace talks and refugee issues resulting from the war, Organization of Islamic Cooperation conferences, and Shanghai Cooperation Organization summits. He graduated from Tajik State University in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
Subscribe to the Central Asia in Focus Newsletter
RFE/RL’s Central Asia in Focus newsletter delivers the latest news and insights direct to your inbox.