State-run Jahonnamo began broadcasting today around the clock and will initially cover only 60 percent of the country.
By government decree, the new station will be run by Abdumajid Usmonov, formerly the deputy director of the TV channel Safina.
In an interview with RFE/RL's Tajik Service, Usmonov said the new channel will broadcast news programs and analyses of international and local events in three languages -- Tajik, Russian, and English.
Noted Tajik journalist Rajabi Mirzo says he's not sure the channel will succeed, since it does not have its own reporters working abroad and plans to rebroadcast news from other TV channels.
Another Tajik journalist, Marat Mamadshoev, notes that Usmonov has been working in the office of Tajik President and that it appears that he will use the new channel to continue his promotion of the president and the government.
