The National Forum and Exhibition “Press of Uzbekistan” were held in Tashkent last week. The events were organized by the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Cabinet of Ministers, Uzbek Agency for Press and Information, Public Fund for Support and Development of Independent Print Media and Information Agencies and other organizations.

At the opening ceremony, deputy speaker of the Legislative Chamber Ismoil Saifnazarov, chairman of the Legislative Chamber Committee for information and communication technologies Abdurashid Juraboyev, chairman of the Creative Union of Journalists Sherzod Gulomov, editor of the Yerkin Qaraqalpaqistan newspaper Kenisbay Reyimov and others said that the reforms in the media sphere in Uzbekistan were giving positive results.

The Constitution and about 10 legislative documents related to media serve as an important guarantee of the citizens’ rights to freedom of speech. The media laws are being currently reviewed with the purpose of the further liberalization of the sector.

In the last 10 years, the number of print media in Uzbekistan has increased two times and electronic media seven times. The country’s media broadcast and are published in seven languages of nations living in Uzbekistan.

About 100 print publications, as well as news agencies operating in Uzbekistan demonstrated their products and services at the exhibition, UzA informs.

Reports on topics like freedom of speech and press, state support of the media and development of independent electronic media were heard.