This is a translation of Roma’s post from the Russian-Tajik neweurasia blog.

Journalist is an interesting profession, but extremely unappreciative in Tajikistan. The government is not putting that much pressure on journalists as the editors and publishers do.

There is a long range of evidences which can prove how hard is it to be a journalist in Tajikistan, a representative of fourth power. The profession itself is a source of positive emotions, it is interesting and relevant at any time. Today Tajik journalist can hardly make both ends meet, they are forceв to work in the sweat of their brows for a piece of stale bread. The money that they earn is not enough for anything better.

Obviously, I’m exaggerating but you can judge yourself. Everyday journalists of Tajik newspapers are in search of information. Most of them are committed to what they do. What do they get instead? Nothing but a minor salary which could hardly be named a salary. Is it possible to live for 120-200 somonis (about $35 - $60)? No, it is not. However our journalists, as most of other Tajik citizens, manage to live even with that amount.

They pull belts in spending money during a whole month. If it is food then it should be the cheapest. If it comes to buying clothes… It happens only once a year if by any chance they get a premium or a good remuneration.

The editors and owners of media outlets, the so called media tycoons are always happy to recruit new journalists as a good labor force. They demand a good quality of work but never interested in paying good salaries so that the journalists could be better off. They always skimp and screw when it comes to share the jointly made income.

I have heard a lot of stories from my colleagues about they miserable salaries and see it myself everyday because I am also working in this environment. The employers are interested in nothing but their own advantage. Journalists who work for them as donkeys are fools and voiceless slaves. They are ashamed but they need to work for a paltry sum of money because they have nothing else to do but write. And the employers snatch at the chance of having voiceless employees.

Most of the Tajik editorial offices do not have common things: no computers, no chairs, voice recorders, pens and notepads. Some of them do not even have a tea-pot to boil water for a cup of tea. How do you work in such conditions my dear colleagues?