In an interview with the BBC, Komil Allamjonov, chairman of the Mass Media Foundation, answered questions about the situation with freedom of speech in Uzbekistan, the President’s treatment of journalists and his recently published book “Allamjonov is to be blamed”.
- Today in Uzbekistan, there is a perception among active journalists, bloggers or public activists in general that the situation with freedom of speech and press is deteriorating. How do you react to such views?
- You know, everything depends on the main goal and the main leader. In his every speech, the President says that the press is open, free and there is no going back. This is the main political direction. In practice, it is natural to have a problem with this, because it is a struggle.
Truth is always bitter. In the course of this struggle, various unfortunate incidents, including those with journalists, have affected our indexes in the world, and this year, for example, we have gone one step back. Most importantly, we are moving forward.
Let our fans not be disappointed. Everything is known by comparison. If we compare our journalism with the developed European countries, the United States, yes, we are lagging behind. But we are far ahead compared to the previous Uzbekistan. It all depends on the point of view you look at.
Therefore, I say that we should not lower our hands. No one talked before thinking that it would be difficult. Because when there is a problem with our officials, no one is accustomed to speak openly. But everything is open now, anyway, problems are being addressed.
Yes, it is getting hard. There are pressures. It is has never been easy. Where are such reforms easily achieved? Where are these things resolved easily? No, it requires willpower, hard work, perseverance and walking in the right direction.
- In your book, you said that when you worked as the President’s press secretary, you greatly revived the press system. Did you make any effort to arrange a live dialogue between the President and journalists at the time?
- You know, when we worked in the presidential press service, a lot had to be started from scratch. There were a lot of issues, a lot of projects that needed to be done, and we have done. But I didn’t get to that point, I didn’t have time.
