Tajiks Renew Facebook Ban

Jan. 17, 2013

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan — Tajikistan has blocked social media website Facebook for the third time in 12 months.

Also blocked Thursday was the U.S Congress-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Tajik language service.

Internet service providers said they were dening access to the websites at the request of the communications authorities.

Tajikistan has low levels of Internet penetration, but Internet regulation in the authoritarian country is nonetheless expected to be strict ahead of November's presidential election.

Emomali Rakhmon has ruled the impoverished country for two decades and is expected to easily retain power, but officials remain nervous of any signs of opposition to the government.

(AP)

Related articles:

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue