People in Turkmenistan -- where all media is state-controlled -- may soon be reading privately-owned newspapers and magazines.
In televised remarks during a cabinet meeting, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov announced plans to allow the creation of private newspapers in the country.
"Proposals for the founding of private newspapers and magazines can be prepared and work on this matter can be accelerated," Reuters quotes Berdymukhammedov as saying.
Berdymukhammedov also said the country's union of industrialists and entrepreneurs should also launch its own publication focusing on business success stories.
"Likewise, if there are those who want to create new parties, we will support them too," the president said, although he also noted that the establishment of political parties should not be rushed, AFP reports.
Turkmenistan is the only post-Soviet country without privately-owned media. The country’s five television channels, 25 newspapers, 15 magazines and one news agency are all state-owned.
compiled from agency reports