Asia-Plus Pioneer Recalls 'Enthusiasm, Responsibility, and Discipline' Amidst Early Challenges

Asia-Plus, a leading media outlet in Tajikistan, features an interview with Lidiya Isamova, a former editor and head of its information service. The article provides a deeply personal and nostalgic look back at the formative years of independent journalism in Tajikistan during the post-Soviet era.

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It was such a time… difficult… Sometimes militants would show up when they didn’t like something. They would come in irritated, angry, clinking their guns. Our guys, especially the girls, would go out, try to calm them down, defuse conflicts. I was always afraid for my girls. I was the oldest among them. Dangerous times, by 4-5 PM all the streets were already deserted, and tinted cars were driving around the city looking for adventures…

Isamova's perspective as a Russian philologist who transitioned into journalism offers a unique viewpoint on the development of media in the region. Her recollections of the early 1990s, a time marked by political instability and occasional visits from armed militants, highlight the courage and resilience of journalists. The narrative emphasizes the sense of camaraderie and shared responsibility among the young team, who faced significant risks to report the news.

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Sometimes militants visited us

From a Tajikistani perspective, this story is not just about a media organization's history but also about the nation's journey through a turbulent period. Isamova's reflections on the challenges – the lack of resources, the constant threat of danger, and the dedication of the staff – resonate with the broader experience of rebuilding and establishing institutions in a post-conflict society. The article implicitly celebrates the role of media like Asia-Plus in fostering a more informed and stable environment, underscoring its importance from a local viewpoint that might differ from international perceptions focused solely on geopolitical aspects.

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I already had experience: I wrote for ‘Komsomolets Tajikistana’, ‘Vecherniy Dushanbe’, ‘Communist of Tajikistan’ during Soviet times. Mostly, these were cinema and theater reviews, in general, I worked as an art critic. But news was new to me. I was used to writing extensive articles. It was tough at first, but soon I got into the rhythm.