Hot News 2004

March 11

Electronic media and frequency’ users are going to start lobbying their interests

On March 10, Tajik Association of Independent Mass Media (TajANESMI), Association of Internet Service Providers, Association of Mobile Service Operators and NGO “Internews- Tajikistan” held a roundtable to discuss “Changes and amendments to a Provision on peculiarities of licensing different kinds of activities.” Members of international organizations, Anti-monopoly Committee of the RT, officers of the State Communications Inspectorate under the Ministry of Communications were invited to take part in the roundtable. The participants discussed a bylaw “On Licensing”, licensing costs for the use of frequencies, double taxation and other issues related to the functioning of local electronic media.

The state inspectorate officers were highly critical of proposals made by TajANESMI and other frequency users. One thing worth mentioning here is that despite being a member of the Presidential Executive Apparatus, TajANESMI’s proposals to the law “On Licensing” were not considered. TajANESMI executive director, Hosiyat Kast, said if the bye-law is passed, it will result in higher taxes for Internet Service Providers and TV companies, causing them to loose a considerable number of customers and investors, since they will seem to be not economically attractive. Thus they decided to unite and continue lobbying their interests.  

By the end, the participants decided to summarize all recommendations, made during the roundtable, in a single document and to send it to all bodies, related to lawmaking and practical application of the licensing law.

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