The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan, aiming to develop the printing and publishing sector in the country, support employees of print media, and encourage journalists, announces the “Republican Competition for the Best Newspaper and Magazine.”
Participants may submit, at their discretion, a state or independent newspaper or magazine published in 2024–2025 in the Republic (from a magazine – 1 copy out of 5 issues, from a newspaper – 1 copy out of 10 issues) along with an application to the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Winners in three categories (national, regional, city and district, thematic) will be awarded I, II, III places and cash prizes (3,000, 2,000, and 1,000 somoni).
Deadline for submission of applications – December 1, 2025.
Dushanbe, Rudaki Avenue 34, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan
Detailed information on the official website of the Ministry of Culture: egov.tj/site/farhang-tjk
Tel.: +992 918 64 17 72; 223-14-74; 221-40-65; 221-03-00
E-mail: raysati_tnm@mail.ru
REGULATIONS
Republican Competition
“Best Newspaper and Magazine of 2025”
1. General Provisions
1.1. The Republican Competition “Best Newspaper and Magazine of 2025” (hereinafter – the Competition) is held to analyze the state of newspapers and magazines published in the Republic of Tajikistan, disseminate materials, and strengthen their future activities, within the implementation of item 15 of the Action Plan of the State Program for the Development of the Printing and Media Sector of the Republic of Tajikistan for 2022–2026.
1.2. The organizer and responsible body for the Competition is the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan (hereinafter – the Organizer).
1.3. The Competition is announced, covered, and promoted through mass media.
2. Goals and Objectives of the Competition
2.1. The main goal is to develop the printing and publishing sector, support employees of print media, encourage journalists, and promote the initiatives of the Founder of Peace and National Unity – the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, respected Emomali Rahmon, through publication of materials on government plans and programs.
2.2. To attract and enhance the skills of specialists in journalism.
2.3. To create conditions for public access to reliable information.
2.4. To explore modern methods to strengthen the work of print media in the country.
2.5. To publish analytical materials and foster civic awareness.
2.6. To attract public attention to reading periodicals.
2.7. To provide favorable working conditions for journalists.
2.8. To activate experience exchange between national and local publications.
3. Procedure of the Competition
3.1. The Competition is held from August 1, 2025, to December 10, 2025.
3.2. Participants must submit several original copies (from the issues) of newspapers or magazines published in 2024–2025 along with an application to the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan.
3.3. Submitted copies will not be returned.
3.4. The deadline for submitting documents is December 1, 2025.
4. Rights and Responsibilities of Participants
4.1. Publications printed in domestic printing houses of the Republic are eligible.
4.2. Publications with a circulation of fewer than 100 copies are not accepted.
4.3. The Organizer has the right to reject applications from participants who did not submit a written request to the ministry.
5. Competition Commission
5.1. The body responsible for conducting the Competition is the Commission of the Republican Competition “Best Newspaper and Magazine of 2025” (hereinafter – the Commission), whose composition is approved by the order of the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan.
5.2. Powers of the Commission:
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to verify the compliance of submitted materials with the Competition requirements;
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to propose a panel of judges to evaluate the submitted materials and determine winners.
5.3. The Commission has the right to cancel the judges’ decision if it does not comply with the Regulations or in case of technical errors, as well as to resolve issues not covered by the Regulations.
5.4. The panel of judges, for determining winners, consists of ministry staff and experienced journalists, proposed by the Commission and approved by the Ministry of Culture.
5.5. Winners are determined by secret ballot of the judges.
5.6. The judges’ conclusion is reviewed and approved at the Commission meeting.
5.7. After completion, the judges submit the protocol to the Organizer in writing.
6. Conditions of the Competition
6.1. Newspapers and magazines published in Tajikistan in 2024–2025, regardless of ownership or activity, are eligible.
6.2. Submitted publications are evaluated by the judges based on the Regulations.
6.3. Evaluation criteria include:
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content and topics of published materials;
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variety of genres;
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relevance;
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use of photographs;
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print quality;
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page format and size;
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design and layout;
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activity in social networks;
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submission of registration certificate in the Ministry of Culture;
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submission of mandatory copies to the National Library and House of Books of Tajikistan.
6.4. Priority is given to content, problem setting, proposed solutions, and creative skills.
6.5. Winners receive diplomas, certificates, and cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.
7. Requirements for Submitted Materials
7.1. Submitted materials must include information about the publisher, year of establishment, head of the publication with full name, phone, and email.
7.2. Publications must be submitted selectively (from a magazine – 1 copy out of 5 issues, from a newspaper – 1 copy out of 10 issues).
7.3. Submission deadline – December 1, 2025.
8. Financial Support of the Competition
8.1. Winners are determined based on the judges’ conclusions and awarded by the Organizer.
8.2. Winners in three categories receive cash prizes:
National publication:
1st place – 3,000 somoni
2nd place – 2,000 somoni
3rd place – 1,000 somoni
Regional, city, and district publication:
1st place – 3,000 somoni
2nd place – 2,000 somoni
3rd place – 1,000 somoni
Thematic publication:
1st place – 3,000 somoni
2nd place – 2,000 somoni
3rd place – 1,000 somoni
9. Address of the Competition Commission
Dushanbe, Rudaki Avenue 34
Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan
Organizing Committee:
Tel.: +992 918 64 17 72; 223-14-74; 221-40-65; 221-03-00
E-mail: raysati_tnm@mail.ru
Directorate of Printing and Mass Media of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan