Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At the tenth plenary meeting of the Senate, the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On amendments and additions to the Criminal, Criminal Procedure Codes of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Code of Administrative Responsibility of the Republic of Uzbekistan” was discussed.

It was noted that in recent years, the country has carried out significant reforms in the development of the national information space and infrastructure, the process of ensuring freedom of speech and openness of information has radically changed. New forms of communication with the people have emerged, and the requirement for openness and transparency for government agencies has arisen. Our laws guarantee everyone the right to seek, receive, collect, distribute and use information, as well as freely express their opinions and views.

At the same time, it is accordingly stipulated that the owners of information are responsible for the word and its consequences, and the rights of other persons are guaranteed.

It was noted that, despite this, there are frequent cases of dissemination, as well as placement in the media, telecommunication networks or the Internet of false information that humiliates a person's dignity, leads to his discrediting, and also threatens public order or security.

It was emphasized that there are not enough important norms that effectively regulate the process of information dissemination in telecommunication and Internet networks.

It should be noted that in such conditions it is important to create a legal framework that provides guarantees for the protection of citizens' rights to information.

It was noted that this Law was developed to address these issues and coordinate tasks to create an appropriate legal framework.

The purpose of the Law is to create practical legal mechanisms to facilitate the free dissemination of relevant, reliable and important information for society, to strengthen legislation on freedom of the media and professional activities of journalists, to ensure the safety and stability of the foundations of the national information space and law and order.

The adoption by this Law of measures of legal responsibility for the dissemination of false information will contribute to the protection of information rights of citizens, the introduction of relevant and reliable information into the communication system, and ensuring public safety and stability.

In addition, measures to mitigate punishment for crimes related to cases of defamation (i.e. libel and insult), introduced by this Law, will increase the level of transparency in society and help improve the indicators of the Republic of Uzbekistan in international rankings and indices.

Senators approved the law.