" At present, our people’s attitude towards the media has been changed. This is a great achievement. Because, now every citizen has the right to choose among the media outlets. However, a natural question arises: at a time when so much has been done, when there are so many media outlets of various formats, are readers satisfied with the information quality? Here, I cannot say "yes" with full confidence. So, above all, we should bring up journalists who can meet modern requirements. A system has been set up for this. There is a system to train and re-train journalists. However, to my mind, the biggest problem today is self-censorship among journalists. We should get rid of self-censorship. To achieve this, we should increase journalists’ responsibilities, as every information reaches certain consumer. No information gets lost in the information space. Information produces either positive or negative consequences. I believe that we should provide for the implementation of laws adopted in this sphere and improve the skills of the main figure in the mass media system - journalists," Saidov said.

He also praised the country’s achievements in the years of independence in setting up "independent" media. "In fact in the years of independence, Uzbekistan carried out a number of large-scale work in forming the independent media or the fourth estate. I would divide the process into the following: above all, a strong legal basis for the freedom of speech was established. Seven key laws were adopted in this sphere: on the media; on information freedom and freedom of speech; on protecting journalistic activities; on copyright and related rights; and on information technology... Moreover, a number of resolutions by the Cabinet of Ministers and presidential decrees were adopted in this sphere. Currently, we have sufficient legal mechanisms to guarantee freedom of speech. Second, during the Soviet era, almost all the media outlets had belonged to the state. At present, the majority of over 1,000 media outlets registered in our country are nongovernmental. No matter, be it independent TV, radio or the press, only five or seven per cent is state-owned. Moreover, third, new NGOs were set up in the media system. For example, the national electronic media association, a foundation for supporting various news agencies and independent print media as well as a creative union of journalists were set up. Fourth, the state is interested in developing the mass media. Because, the state wants political pluralism. Who is to ensure pluralism? Of course, the independent media outlets are. Therefore, the government is also supporting them financially. However, I would like to focus on one thing: my first practical proposals are to ensure the consistency of reforms in the field and to achieve their efficiency. in addition to this, we should do our best to coordinate our work," he said.

Akmal Saidov went on to repeat his previous statement about the main aspects of his manifesto: "My election platform mainly focuses on three areas: forming a democratic and law-governed state, setting up a foundation for a just civil society and achieving a high level of legal culture. I would like to attach special attention to the major concepts of the three priority areas: ensuring human rights, freedom of speech and national interests. Because, the three areas, be it either forming a law-governed state, a just civil society or aspirations to a high level of legal culture, cannot be accomplished without the three concepts - ensuring human rights, freedom of speech and national interests... Regarding national interests, there is no state without national interests. No civil society can be formed without them. Legal culture should be based on the national interests. Therefore, the three concepts make up the core of the platform," he said.

He also said ensuring freedom of speech and information freedom was a priority task for Uzbekistan. "The 21st century is the century of information. An information globalization process is under way in the world. Uzbekistan cannot stay on the sidelines of the process. Currently, there is no wall between domestic and foreign information spaces. Because, the Internet and communications technologies are destroying the wall between the domestic and foreign information spaces. We have to look at the information coming from abroad from our own point of view. At the same time, Uzbekistan should promote its own standpoint in the world information space. Therefore, ensuring freedom of speech and information freedom is a priority task facing our society," he said.

Source [translation]: BBC Monitoring Central Asia