TAJIKISTAN’S FIRST PRIVATE RADIO STATION

In 1995, two Tajik journalists, Andrey
Sidorin and Konstantin Parshin, decided to create a private radio company despite the fact
that private electronic media activity was prohibited in Tajikistan until 1998. None of
the local business companies were eager to help as the country was struggling through
post-war conditions. A grant applications was submitted to the Regional Office of UNESCO,
Almaty, Kazakhstan which rendered assistance to this first alternative radio company in
Tajikistan. The practical implementation of the project started in the summer of 1999. Our
radio station (NIC) purchased an office, a 1,200-Watt transmitter, studio and recording
equipment, accessories. Some of the NIC employees took part in training in Kazakhstan and
study tours in the USA, to learn contemporary methods in public, private and alternative
radio broadcasting.

Radio NIC is planned as a musical/entertainment station oriented on the community radio
principals. The founders consider this type of broadcasting the most appropriate to the
interests of our audience. Russian was chosen the language of broadcasting since it
remains the language of international communication. Another reason for that is that Radio
NIC is meant to fill in the information vacuum in which the Russian-speaking population
found itself after the civil war. We take into consideration our potential audience such
as detachments of the 201st Russian Military Division, as well as Peacekeeping Forces and
border-guards. Later on, NIC is planning some educational shows in Tajik and news in
English.

The station remains dormant because the station must obtain two licenses from the
Ministry of Communications, a broadcasting frequency, and permission to carry out
broadcasting activity from the State Committee on Radio and TV. The Ministry of
Communications has created no obstacles. Radio NIC has been receiving support from the
International Agencies working in the country. Among those are Internews and the local
Soros Foundation Office. However, since the station is dormant the grant awards have not
been provided. We have developed inventive ways to get on the air. In September 1999, the
Company signed an agreement on co-operation with the 201st Russian Division’s TV
& Radio Center. NIC temporarily leased its transmitter and in exchange the Company
received the right to broadcast thrice a week using the Division’s frequency.

The founding members of Radio NIC belong to the Tajik "beau monde" music
scene since the early eighties. Konstantin Parshin, the Musical Editor, who is better
known as "Kide," is a solo music performer. With digital equipment, partly
purchased through our UNESCO grant, "Kide" recently was able to realize another
of his projects. With the help of like-minded professionals and members of his band
"Kide & the Jeans Community" he released a new album. The album is the first
CD produced in Tajikistan. Radio NIC renders support to young talented musicians of
Tajikistan and will promote the young artists on the radio.

Konstantin Parshin, Music Editor Radio NIC