(JuHI/IFEX) – The following is a 3 June 2002 JuHI press release: Uzbekistan: official censorship lifted, self-censorship remains On 13 May 2002, state censorship in Uzbekistan was officially eliminated. On 7 May 2002, the country’s official censor, Erkin Komilov, was dismissed from his post. As of 13 May, newspapers in Uzbekistan no longer require any […]
(JuHI/IFEX) – The following is a 3 June 2002 JuHI press release:
Uzbekistan: official censorship lifted, self-censorship remains
On 13 May 2002, state censorship in Uzbekistan was officially eliminated. On 7 May 2002, the country’s official censor, Erkin Komilov, was dismissed from his post. As of 13 May, newspapers in Uzbekistan no longer require any state approval in order to publish.
This recent development was hailed by many journalists as the first step towards the true independence of media in Uzbekistan. However, despite the lifting of official censorship, mass media in the country have yet to observe a serious improvement in the conditions under which they operate. Sources in Tashkent report that self-censorship is still predominant among journalists, and most reporters still do not feel that they operate free of outside control. Journalists are very poorly organised and feel there is an urgent need for the development of professional organisations. Newspaper editors continue to be appointed by the government and therefore remain under the control of President Islam Karimov’s repressive regime.
Nonetheless, JuHI believes that the official elimination of state censorship represents a big step towards the liberalisation of mass media in this part of Central Asia. The organisation also feels that this welcome development is a result of the continued persistence of international organisations in raising their concerns about censorship of media in Uzbekistan.
For further information, please visit www.juhiaz.org and read the special report on Uzbekistan in the reports section.
