Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan ranked 157th in the press freedom rating published just the day before by the non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders. Unfortunately, the compilers of the rating did not fully take into account all the work carried out in our country to develop the information sphere, the Agency for Information and Mass Communications said.

The agency noted that freedom of speech and press, as well as openness are the priority directions of the state policy of our country. The level of public awareness is growing as a result of ensuring the legal rights of journalists and bloggers, as well as the constructive reaction of press services and government agencies to criticism in the media.

In Uzbekistan, in the difficult conditions of a pandemic, official positions were published in the media, social networks and messengers in a timely manner, comments and explanations were provided to each information that was disseminated in the media space and became the subject of discussion. The agency, together with all government agencies and departments, has systematically begun to organize briefings and press conferences. As a result, the population began to receive direct answers to their questions directly from officials and experts. A similar practice has been introduced in the regions, where events specifically for journalists are regularly held on the basis of media plans.

In addition, relevant amendments were made to the current legislation in order to liberalize criminal liability. In particular, imprisonment for libel and insult was canceled.

The current policy of openness and transparency of Uzbekistan provides for the resolution of controversial issues in the field of information, as well as any conflict situations between the parties within the framework of the current legislation and the judicial system. In this regard, the Agency, as a competent authority in the field of information, is ready to continue to provide comprehensive assistance in protecting the legitimate interests of journalists, bloggers and media workers who disseminate reliable and objective information.

The agency expressed hope that in the next ratings of Reporters Without Borders, all reforms in the field of freedom of information in Uzbekistan will receive a worthy assessment.