Mass media freedom considered at conference in Ferghana

The conference was organized by the Committee of Legislative Chamber of information and communication technologies, Creative Union of Journalists of Uzbekistan and Ferghana regional administration. It was attended by the representatives of state bodies, MPs, public organizations, mass media of Andijan, Namangan and Ferghana regions.

The conference was aimed at discussing strengthening financial and economic independence of mass media, introduction of market mechanisms in the sector, improving legislative acts.

The participants considered draft laws “On economic basis of activities of mass media and “On guarantees of the state support of mass media”.

It was noted that Uzbekistan had been conducting wide-sale work on democratization and liberalization of mass media, introduction of market mechanisms to the sector, as well as ICT. Uzbekistan created legislative framework for the activities of mass media.

Currently, there are 1,326 mass media outlets in Uzbekistan, of which 58.2% are non-governmental media. The digital and ICT technologies are actively introduced in the sector as number of internet users exceeds 10 million people. Number of publishing enterprises was 9 in 1991 and now there are 104 such enterprises.

The participants noted that freedom and economic independence of mass media is important for independent development of mass media.

During the event, the participants considered draft laws “On economic basis of activities of mass media and “On guarantees of the state support of mass media”.

The participants shared their recommendations and proposals on improving legislative framework for work of mass media and the above-mentioned draft laws.