Who is a journalist in Uzbekistan?

In practice, this is the attitude towards the journalists who are called representatives of the fourth power, who say that if the head of state tells the truth, “I am behind them, and the laws that exist”, but do not work, cannot protect the rights of journalists.

In social networks, the fact that independent journalists who went to the Tashkent International Airport to welcome the national team of Uzbekistan were not allowed inside caused objections.

Many people remembered the Paris 2024 Olympics with a number of embarrassing situations on a global scale. It is no exaggeration to say that this Olympiad was doubly embarrassing for journalists in Uzbekistan. The reason is that journalists working in many publications who went to cover the processes of welcoming the athletes were not allowed to enter the airport. The officials explained that this situation is to take measures to maintain order at the airport, so the question arises: Do journalists break the order? 

While media personnel were not allowed inside the airport, representatives of state-owned mass media, in particular, reporters of state TV channels and UzA website, interviewed the athletes. Other independent media representatives were left out. Doesn't this situation show that the authorities are violating their obligation to be open and transparent to the public?! 

Do not these restrictions threaten Uzbekistan's achievements in the field of free press? Mass media play an important role in conveying information about state bodies and official events to the public and in the formation of trust in them. 

Creating obstacles for journalists to perform their duties, restricting access to information is not only a violation of the rights of journalists, but also a stifling of the free press?! 

Doesn't the fact that the authorities impose restrictions on independent journalists in this way show that the attitude towards freedom of speech and information in the country is at an alarming level?! Do not such situations harm the country's reputation in the international arena?! 

Uzbekistan's achievements in the path of openness and freedom should not remain only in words, equal conditions should be created for all mass media and journalists should be given opportunities to receive information. 

Transparency and transparency of the state should not be limited only to the official mass media, but should be ensured by creating an opportunity for independent and impartial information sources to carry out their activities without restrictions. This situation shows that Uzbekistan's reforms in the direction of free press and freedom of speech need to be looked at more seriously. 

Regardless of which mass media they belong to, journalists should have equal opportunities to cover state events. In this way, important steps will be taken to create a free and fair information environment in the country.