The forum brought together more than 50 participants — members of parliament, representatives of ministries and agencies, international organizations, journalists, bloggers, media lawyers, educators, and students. The main focus was on the protection of freedom of expression, regulation of the digital environment, countering disinformation, and the role of technology in media transformation.

CARAVAN EU-Funded Project

Opening the forum, Saida Sulaymanova, Director of the Center for the Development of Modern Journalism of the Republic of Uzbekistan, emphasized:

We are facing the need to develop a new culture of information security. This applies not only to technology but also to the overall maturity of society in media consumption and media production.”

CARAVAN EU-Funded Project

Mindaugas Kacerauskis, Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation, stressed in his speech the fundamental nature of freedom of expression as part of sustainable development:

“Freedom of speech is not an abstract right; it is what defines the strength of institutions and the level of trust in society. Without free, responsible, and protected journalism, neither democracy nor sustainable development is possible. By supporting media, we support the future,” he stated.

CARAVAN EU-Funded Project

Sara Noshadi, Head of the UNESCO Office in Uzbekistan, noted that the growing volume of information requires new critical thinking skills:

“The quality of content must be matched by the quality of its perception. That is why media literacy is becoming a global priority.”

During the forum, results of media space monitoring for 2024 were presented by the Legal Support Clinic for Journalists and Bloggers. Media lawyer Madina Tursunova shared current trends in the media landscape and offered recommendations for improving mechanisms that protect the professional activities of journalists.
 

Experts and practitioners discussed the integration of AI into editorial work, mechanisms to combat fake news, media literacy education, the development of independent newsrooms, and the future of the profession in the era of short and visual content. Outstanding media projects implemented through the Center’s fellowship programs were also showcased.
 

The editor-in-chief of Anhor.uz highlighted the role of the media in reflecting reality:

“When a journalist raises an issue, it’s not about searching for negativity. It’s an attempt to help society look in the mirror.”

Kamola Alieva, gender equality expert and associate professor at Tashkent State University of Law, emphasized the importance of using language in media that reflects the principles of gender equality. She noted that appropriate wording contributes to the development of a culture of respect and equal opportunity in society.
The forum concluded with a call to continue dialogue between the state, experts, and media, strengthen digital resilience, support independent newsrooms, and expand educational programs in media literacy and digital ethics.