OSCE Representative for Media Freedom Concludes Official Visit to Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Ambassador Jan Braathu, concluded his official visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan on 16 November.

During the visit, he held a series of high-level meetings focused on the ongoing reform of the legal framework for media, the impact of digital transformation on journalism, and Uzbekistan’s fulfillment of OSCE commitments. He also met with representatives of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan to discuss areas of cooperation and mutual support.

Ambassador Braathu welcomed the cooperation between the Government of Uzbekistan and his office in the legal domain, including the joint review of the 2024 Draft Information Code and ongoing work on the Draft Law on the Protection of Users of Online Platforms and Websites. He praised the authorities’ practice of conducting consultations with stakeholders on legal matters and reaffirmed his readiness to provide additional expert support.

Journalist safety was a central topic throughout all discussions, alongside the challenges and opportunities that artificial intelligence presents for the media sector. Braathu noted that the 2018 OSCE Council of Ministers Decision on the Safety of Journalists urges all participating states to ensure that journalists can work freely and without threats of reprisal.

The Representative also outlined practical areas of cooperation, including media literacy, training in journalistic ethics, and workshops on police-media interaction. He highlighted new resources available to participating states, such as the upcoming UNESCO–RFoM Practical Handbook for Journalists on Environmental Reporting and the RFoM Political Handbook on Ensuring Media Freedom in the Context of AI on Major Tech Platforms.

While in Tashkent, Ambassador Braathu met with Uzbekistan’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Muzaffarbek Madrahimov and the Head of Communications and Presidential Press Secretary Sherzod Asadov. He also held discussions with leaders and senior staff of the Legislative Chamber Committee on Innovative Development and Information Technology, the Presidential Administration Communications Department, the Media Content Training Center under the Presidential Administration, the Inspection for Control in the Field of Informatization and Telecommunications (“Uzkomnazorat”), and the Public Fund for Support and Development of National Media.

The Representative visited the cities of Bukhara and Samarkand, meeting with senior local government officials and heads of major regional media outlets to discuss the development of media at the regional level.

“I highly appreciate the open and constructive engagement of my colleagues throughout the visit,” Ambassador Braathu said. “Continuing dialogue and inclusive processes in drafting laws related to journalism are key to building a sustainable and pluralistic media environment that serves the public interest. I look forward to continued cooperation with the Uzbek authorities in implementing OSCE commitments on media freedom.”