Abstract

After gaining independence, the Republic of Uzbekistan achieved limited progress in the area of press freedom. According to Reporters Without Borders, Uzbekistan ranked 166th out of nearly 180 countries in the 2016 Press Freedom Index. In the same year, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev acknowledged the existing shortcomings in media freedom and highlighted the need for reform.

Following these developments, several non-state television channels began operations, gradually diversifying the media landscape. Citizens gained greater opportunities to express their views on socio-political issues, live broadcasting was reinstated, and certain regulatory restrictions were relaxed. Television programming increasingly addressed social problems and proposed potential solutions, while online platforms, including news websites and the blogosphere, experienced notable growth.

Currently, state television channels in Uzbekistan continue to operate primarily in alignment with state interests, receiving annual funding exceeding half a trillion soums. In parallel, non-state channels function on a commercial basis, shaping content according to audience preferences and operating within a ratings-driven environment oriented toward profit generation.

Despite the placement of television programs on digital platforms, traditional broadcasting faces intense competition from the blogosphere and domestic and international online media. Surveys conducted by International Media Support (IMS) for PR.uz indicate that non-state television channels lead in viewership; however, much of their content is entertainment-focused. Traditional television functions are increasingly replaced by sensationalism, ethically questionable material, and fear-amplifying narratives, raising public concern.

Social networks also represent a significant challenge to television, offering timely topics and rapid dissemination of information. In this evolving media environment, both state and non-state television channels struggle to meet the full informational and communicative needs of the population.

In response to these challenges, the establishment of public television emerges as a potential solution. Recognizing television’s enduring role in shaping public discourse and supporting societal development, it is crucial to develop a comprehensive framework for public broadcasting and define the principles guiding its operation within Uzbekistan’s socio-cultural context.

A systematic analysis of the contemporary Uzbek media landscape underscores the urgency of creating public television as an independent, socially oriented platform capable of balancing public interest, editorial autonomy, and accountability. Such an institution could complement existing media, address current shortcomings, and provide citizens with a reliable and socially responsible source of information.