Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 10 September 2024, the "Tashkent Global Media Forum" devoted to anticorruption measures was held for the first time in the capital of Uzbekistan.

This event was organized by the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with funding from the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), as part of the project "Improving Governance in Uzbekistan - Inclusive Corruption Prevention." The project is being implemented in collaboration with GIZ (German Enterprise for International Cooperation), the Central Finance and Contracts Agency (CFCA) of Latvia, the NGO "Regional Dialogue" from Slovenia, and UNDP. This event was based on an initiative proposed by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan during the ceremony of awarding at the International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award.

The event was opened by Аkmal Burkhanov, Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Akiko Fujii, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan, Jonathan Henick, U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Wim Riepma, Head of Cooperation Section of the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, Dr. Michael Wimmer, Deputy Head of Mission, Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Germany.

The Forum was attended by journalists and editors from local and leading media outlets from Latvia, Singapore, the Philippines, Austria, and Central Asian countries, as well as bloggers and others. Representatives from OSCE, UNDP, the international NGO "Regional Dialogue," GIZ experts, the diplomatic corps, international organizations, ministries, government departments, and civil society institutions also participated at the event. The main goal of the Forum is to increase the role of the media in the fight against corruption, discuss global and local problems and solutions in this regard, develop joint initiatives to increase transparency and accountability in society, strengthen the cooperation of media, public bodies, NGOs in order to support freedom of speech and protection of journalists, and create a platform for them.

The Forum commenced with a plenary session featuring presentations on the comprehensive and consistent anti-corruption reforms spearheaded by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the policy of irreversible transparency, and the tangible outcomes of these efforts. Speakers emphasized that this Media Forum would serve as a vital platform for bringing together media representatives, government officials, and civil society to unite efforts in the fight against corruption. Furthermore, it aims to strengthen the role of the media in fostering international cooperation and developing effective strategies in this field.

Following the plenary session, discussions continued with leading experts and practitioners on several key topics, including the achievements and potential of modern media in combating corruption, existing challenges and shortcomings, promoting transparency, employing journalistic investigative methods, working with data, and leveraging new technologies.

In particular, during the initial session titled " THE ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN ENSURING OPENNESS AND TRANSPARENCY OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES," prominent foreign and local experts, including representatives from Transparency International DELNA/Latvia and Singapore's Center for Mutual Cooperation and Support for Open Government, shared insights. They discussed various areas such as raising public awareness of anti-corruption reforms, enhancing legal awareness and civic culture, and supporting community oversight efforts. The session on "INFORMATION ETHICS: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS FOR MODERN MEDIA" on issues of successful strategies in determining corruption cases by the media, ethics, and standards in anti-corruption journalism, increasing awareness of representatives of the industry on rights and obligations exchanged views and experience.  This session also included thematic presentations and discussions with the participation of experts from the UNDP, Baltic Center for Media Excellence (BCME).  

The session titled "Prospects for Analytical Journalism and the Role of Investigative Journalism" featured presentations by representatives from the Philippine Journalism Research Center and online news media Delfi.lv. Special attention was given to enhancing the media’s role in anti-corruption efforts, strengthening the protection of journalists, and improving the legal and institutional framework of the industry. The session also addressed the specifics and prospects of international cooperation in this field, as well as the media's role in supporting anti-corruption reforms in Uzbekistan.

At the conclusion of the dialogue, new approaches, recommendations, and strategies were developed to enhance journalists' skills in covering anti-corruption issues, with a particular focus on advancing investigative journalism in this field. Emphasis was placed on strengthening the role of the media as a key tool in the global fight against corruption. Additionally, participants agreed to establish a permanent platform for the exchange of information and experience among Forum attendees.