“Freedom of the mass media and high-level journalism are an integral part of democracy” – Saida Mirziyoyeva

Saida Mirziyoyeva, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Fund for Support and Development of National Mass Media, delivered a speech at the event in Geneva with the participation of heads of international organizations, human rights activists, ambassadors of European and Asian countries.

In her speech, Mirziyoyeva briefed on the Mass Media Fund and said that the foundation is ready for international cooperation.

“Our foundation was established in 2019 to create equal opportunities for the mass media in the media market, as well as to protect the rights of journalists and bloggers. We firmly believe that media freedom and high-level journalism are an integral part of democracy.

Real reforms cannot be achieved without ensuring freedom of speech, transparency of public authorities and accountability to society,” she said.

Saida Mirziyoyeva noted that the Mass Media Foundation supports the development of open and broad international cooperation. She also noted that the Cotton Campaign lifted the boycott of Uzbek cotton in March 2022 due to Uzbekistan’s fruitful dialogue with international partners.

“This is a recognition of the complete elimination of child and forced labor in our country,” she said, thanking the ILO and other international partners for a constructive dialogue with Uzbekistan.

“Dear friends, today our delegation had fruitful meetings with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet and the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva Tatiana Valovaya. We discussed in detail the issues of women’s rights and freedom of speech in the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. In fact, I personally believe that women have equal access to education and see the fight against negative stereotypes about women as a matter of personal responsibility.

It is well known that the World Summit of Women Speakers of Parliaments will be held for the first time in history in the autumn of 2022, in the ancient and ever-beautiful Samarkand. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all of you to participate in and contribute to this important event.

Dear guests, I will conclude my speech so as not to bore you too much. Let’s continue our dialogue in a freer environment. I know one type of diplomacy that is 100% successful, and it is gastrodiplomacy. Thank you,” Saida Mirziyoyeva concluded.

As previously reported, the chairman of the Mass Media Foundation Komil Allamjonov also delivered a speech at the event and spoke about the dynamics of media freedom in Uzbekistan. Allamjonov stressed that the foundation should develop independent and free journalism, and in this regard, it is necessary to cooperate with foreign organizations.

“Especially given the pressure on Uzbekistan in today’s foreign policy, it is necessary not to fall victim to the aggression and violence of foreign propaganda,” he emphasized.