DUSHANBE, January 25, Asia-Plus  -- The Ministry of Culture (MoC) has extended the term for re-registration of print media, as well as publishing houses and printers for three months, Asia-Plus has learned from Mirzobadal Badalov, head of the MoC department for periodical press, publishing houses and printers. 

 According to him, many newspapers, magazines and printers functioning in the country have already been registered with ministry. 

“However, we are currently working to find out which print media or publishing houses have not yet been registered,” said the MoC official, “At the end of the month we will send them letters requiring to complete the re-registration process by April 1”

As of January 20, the ministry has registered 110 newspapers, including 34 state-run, 50 private, 12 public and 14 trade newspapers, 34 magazines, within 19 of them being private, 25 publishing houses, 83 printing houses and six news agencies.  

In the meantime, as of January 1, 2007, 272 newspapers, 72 magazines and seven news agencies have been registered with MoC. 

Badalov noted that print media and publishing houses that will fail to complete the re-registration process by the deadline will be subject to suspension.