Project
Access to Information
Media Law Reform Assistance in 2023
8 different laws on information and media have been merged into the new Code of Information. UNESCO assists the Government of Uzbekistan in assessing the new Code of Information against freedom of expression, the right to access information and addresses gender-sensitivity and media independence and diversity under the new Code. The revision of the media law occurs in a multi-stakeholder consultation process with support of an international expert.
The UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan conducted a roundtable to discuss the draft Information Code of Uzbekistan at Courtyard by Marriott Hotel on July 17th, 2023. The roundtable was organized in collaboration with the Agency of Information and Mass Communication under the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan. The main objective of the roundtable was to present the results of the analysis conducted by UNESCO and to provide an opportunity for engaging in discussions with relevant stakeholders on the revised Information Code. This review and the roundtable has been made possible through the support of UNESCO Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists.
Additionally, the project raised awareness about the importance of access to information and freedom of expression by celebrating the World Press Freedom Day on 3 May with various activities. Two highlights were the screening of video clips of interviews with prominent representatives of Uzbekistan about freedom of expression and the nomination of an award for the journalism competition 鈥淕olden Pen鈥 which is organised by the Union of Journalists. Other activities included the assistance of the government, in particular the Agency of Information and Mass Communications, to train key government officials on access to information and freedom of expression.
Expected outputs are
- Multi-stakeholder consultation process on the new Code of Information against international laws and standards, with the support of international expertise on access to information, freedom of expression, media, human rights, ethics, privacy, monitoring and evaluation;
- Awareness raising activities on access to information and freedom of expression.
- Capacity building activities of government officials on access to information and freedom of expression
