While a blackout plunged Tajikistan into darkness, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service used Facebook Live to fill information gaps left by crippled local media outlets.
Within thirty minutes, the service reported on a technical problem at the country’s biggest hydropower plant that caused the blackout. It also reported on the situation in hospitals, airports, and police departments, and published video on how Tajikistan’s cities looked in complete darkness. International news outlets such as BBC and Interfax relied on RFE/RL reporting about the blackout.
The service was also one of the first media outlets to report on the restoration of electricity.