Turkmenistan State News Agency (TDH)
Turkmenistan State News Agency (TDH) is the official news agency of the Turkmen government. Founded shortly after Ashgabat became the capital of the Turkmen SSR, TDH has undergone several rebrands—from TurkmenTAG in 1925, to Turkmeninform in the 1970s, to Turkmen-Press following independence in 1992, and later the Turkmen State Information Service (Turkmendovlethabarlary) in 2000. It adopted its present name, Turkmenistan State News Agency, in November 2014.
Media assets
News agency: TDH
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
The Turkmenistan State News Agency (TDH) stands as the government’s official news channel. Established in 1924 as the Telegraph Agency of Turkmenistan, TDH is fully state-controlled, with both leadership and staff appointed by governmental authorities. Currently, Merdan Gazakbaýew serves as the director-general, a position he has held since February 2021.
Source of funding and budget
TDH is bankrolled entirely through state subsidies, ensuring its operations are fully financed by government allocations. While explicit budget figures are seldom disclosed, its continued functioning hinges on this public funding stream.
Editorial independence
The agency operates under firm government-imposed regulations, with content reflecting official narratives and priorities. Freedom of the press in Turkmenistan remains among the most constrained worldwide, with widespread self-censorship and prohibition on criticism of the president or ruling establishment.
August 2025