The Agency for Information and Mass Communications (AIMC) of Uzbekistan condemned the inappropriate actions of the Olmazor district deputy khokim Abdurasul Vahobov.
It should be recalled that on August 14, in order to study an appeal of the LLC Khiva Stroy, Kun.uz correspondents visited the Olmazor district. During the meeting, the deputy head of the Olmazor district Abdurasul Vahobov demanded not to film him and attacked the operator. As a result of his aggressive behavior, Abdurasul Vahobov broke the operator’s tripod. The deputy khokim behaved in an aggressive way.
“The text and the accompanying video indicate that the deputy khokim of the Olmazor district of Tashkent showed an inappropriately rude attitude towards Kun.uz creative team and even threatened to seize their camera.
Unfortunately, this shows that some officials are not aware of the requirements of the law. In particular, Article 5 of the Law of Uzbekistan “On mass media” prohibits obstructing or interfering in the activities of mass media,” the press service said.
The Agency recalled that in accordance with Article 5 of the law “On protection of professional activities of journalists”, a journalist, while performing his professional activities, has the right to conduct a journalistic investigation, to be accepted by an official, to make notes in the established manner, including using the necessary technical means.
The AIMC condemned the inappropriate actions of officials against the mass media.
It should be noted that in accordance with Article 14 of the Law “On protection of professional activities of journalists”, officials of state bodies, self-governing bodies of citizens, public associations, enterprises, institutions and organizations are brought to responsibility for exerting pressure on a journalist, interfering in his professional activities, illegal seizure of materials and necessary technical equipment.
“Ensuring the rule of law in our society is once again becoming an urgent and priority task on today’s agenda. In essence, whether it is an official or an ordinary citizen, journalist or blogger, everyone is equal before the law.
In the process of reforms in the field of ensuring freedom of speech in Uzbekistan, it is important that government officials should establish constructive interaction with journalists and bloggers, providing them with free access to information. Because freedom of the press and speech is the most important factor in the development of society,” the Agency said.
