During the Cabinet session held on 15 March President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov expressed discontent with the performance of Turkmen media outlets.
“What they produce is not in line with the present-day facts, the information material and articles published in print media outlets do not fully reflect Turkmenistan’s accomplishments.
The programs broadcast by TV and radio channels do not meet the requirements in quality or content”, the President said.
The head of state “demanded that mass media performance be improved and efficient measures be undertaken with a view to showcasing the accomplishments in all areas and giving wide promotion of Turkmenistan’s achievements”.
It should be highlighted that, despite the fact that independent media outlets are non-existent in the country, numerous publications about happy life in the epoch of power and happiness, the airing of only positive TV footage, President Berdymukhammedov is permanently discontent with the performance of domestic media outlets.
In August 2017, the head of state demanded that new approaches to promote the country’s success stories and achievements be identified and exploited.
In December he reiterated that “newsworthy TV programs need to be prepared and Turkmenistan’s accomplishments need to be widely covered”.
In early January 2018 Berdymukhammedov severely reprimanded Deputy Prime Minister overseeing culture and media outlets Annageldy Garadjaeva with a final warning “for weakening of control over subordinate agencies”.
Two weeks later he appointed Bakhargul Abdyeva as his replacement, who was charged with the task of replenishing a shortage of highly-qualified journalists and opening the Institute of Journalism and Mass Communications.