It was noted that Uzbekistan carries out gradual work on development of independent non-state mass media and their role in civil institutes system, ensure transparency and openness of political reforms in the country. It was said that number of non-state mass media rose twice in last ten year.

As of 1 December 2011, over 160 non-state internet websites, working as mass media, were registered in Uzbekistan. At the same time, there are 704 newspapers, 254 magazines, four news agencies, 63 TV editorial boards, 36 radio stations. Some 43% of periodical publications, 53% TV channels and 85% of radio channels are non-state.

It was said that Public Fund on supporting NGOs and other civil society institutes under Oliy Majlis, Public fund on supporting and developing independent print media and information agencies of Uzbekistan and National Association of Electronic Mass Media, and other public organizations.

Public Fund on supporting NGOs and other civil society institutes under Oliy Majlis only 2011 financed 19 projects of print media. Public fund on supporting and developing independent print media and information agencies issued 100 grants to mass media and helped to improve skills of 350 young journalists. National Association of Electronic Mass Media in 2009-2011 conducted over 300 enterprises directed at developing non-state mass media.

Participants of the hearing discussed issues of further improving state support of non-state mass media. It was said that proposals of the Uzbek President Islam Karimov, proposed at the Concept of further deepening democratic reforms and forming civil society in the country, on developing law “On economic foundation of mass media activity” and law “On guarantees of the state support of the activity of mass media” are important. These documents should form favourable conditions for effective activity and protection of economic interests of information market participants, and development of national information area.

MPs paid attention to some shortages in execution of requirements of legislation in activity of the state bodies in information sphere. In particular, the participants criticized works directed at denationalization and setting market mechanisms in functioning of mass media and active development of national information aea.

The participants proposed concrete recommendations directed at further strengthening material-technical base of mass media, stimulating workers, support socially important publication, TV and radio programmes, etc.

At the end of the parliament hearing, the decision of the committee was adopted, which is directed at improving legal mechanism of regulating information sphere, creating conditions for effective activity of mass media, etc.