As part of initiatives put forward by President Islam Karimov in the Concept of intensifying democratic reforms and forming civil society in the country Uzbekistan is currently seeking to improve the system of national media in accordance with international standards, and studying the experience of foreign mass media. Recently Dunja Mijatovic, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, visited Uzbekistan and gave an interview to the Uzbekistan Today on new initiatives in this direction.

The growth and development of the Internet has changed almost every aspect of traditional ways of communicating. It is a tool that can promote the realization of fundamental rights, including the right to free expression and free media. Free expression is a cornerstone of democratic government and access to information is essential for the public to make informed decisions about their government. The Internet gives literally billions of people worldwide access to that critical information. Hence, today it is the Internet and the media that use it that can affect the world like no other technology. And the Internet as a medium spurs pluralism as people from all walks of life can make their voices heard.

Definitely. During my visit to Tashkent I met with representatives of the National Association of Electronic Mass-Media (NAESMI), whom the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Tashkent last year helped conduct a series of training seminars for regional television cameramen. The feedback I received from all parties involved in that project was very positive and I hope such fruitful co-operation will continue in the future.   

Any initiative that aims at improving checks and balances deserves praises and I think that the constitutional amendments initiated by President Karimov go precisely in that direction. Strengthening civil society and fostering democratic processes should be the ultimate goal of any government. I am pleased to see that Uzbekistan is moving along that path.   

I welcomed these initiatives when they were first aired in November of last year. During my recent visit to Tashkent I assured representatives of the Uzbek authorities that my Office is ready to extend them its help in drafting these new laws. I also held discussions with several national nongovernmental organizations, with which the Government of Uzbekistan is presently consulting with a view to involving all stakeholders in the drafting of the planned legislation. One can only welcome initiatives that aim at supporting media activities and ensuring greater state transparency. My Office is ready to come up with the appropriate recommendations so that the proposed laws are in line with OSCE media freedom commitments and meet international media standards.       

I am aware of the increasingly active part non state-owned television and radio stations have been taking in the life of Uzbekistan and of the key role played by NAESMI. Except for a few countries, where state ownership over the media remains the rule, there is a global trend toward deregulation. However it is important, for the sake of pluralism, to avoid abusive media consolidation, where the industry is controlled by a very small number of companies or individuals. Media consolidation can have a detrimental effect on information pluralism. This is why it is of vital importance to preserve a genuine diversity of media ownership.