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Contributes to the deepening of democratic processes.
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The constitution stipulates that the mass media shall operate on the basis of the law, and these
are: "On Publishing Activities", "On Copyright and Related Rights", "On Guarantees and
Freedom of Information on", "On Protection of Journalism" and "On Mass Media", as well as
"On Information", "On Advertising", Laws "On Protection of State Secrets" and other laws.
The freedom of mass media is primarily related to the freedom of their employees, that is,
journalists. It is inappropriate to talk about the freedom of the mass media without ensuring the
freedom of journalistic activities. The law "On protection of journalistic activities" regulates
relations related to the activities of journalists.
According to Article 81 of the Constitution, mass media are responsible for the correctness of the
information provided by them in the prescribed manner, or in the Law of the Republic of
Uzbekistan "On Mass Media" and they operate in accordance with the Constitution of the
Republic of Uzbekistan, this Law and other legal documents.
Mass media use the right to search, receive and distribute information and are responsible for the
correctness and veracity of the information they publish in accordance with the law."
That is, every journalist who distributes information is responsible for the correctness and
impartiality of the information he/she disseminates.
The Code of Administrative Responsibility of the Republic of Uzbekistan defines administrative
responsibility for information that includes "Defamation", "Insult", "Distribution of information
causing moral or material harm to citizens".
In the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan, "Defamation", "Insulting", "Promoting
war", "Inciting national, racial, ethnic or religious enmity", "Dissemination of information
threatening the constitutional system", Criminal liability is established for information intended
to "disclose state secrets".
Obligations of mass media workers are clearly defined, and issues of responsibility are clarified.
However, as the law prohibits unjustified interference with media or journalist activities (Laws
on Protection of Journalism and Mass Media), the issue of liability remains open, i.e. , not
regulated by a separate sanction.
In January 2020, the issue of amendments and additions to the Code of Administrative
Responsibility of the Republic of Uzbekistan was discussed on the official website for the
discussion of draft normative legal documents of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In particular,
according to the expected change: Article 197
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of the Code of Administrative Responsibility of
the Republic of Uzbekistan stipulated responsibility for interference and obstruction of
journalistic activities. That is, interfering with and obstructing journalistic activities, forcing a
journalist to distribute or refuse to distribute information, unjustifiably denying accreditation or
improperly canceling accreditation, violating a journalist's right to request and receive necessary
information, it was envisaged that the journalist's materials and necessary technical means would
be sanctioned. But it remained as a project and was not reflected in the legislation.
Is it impossible to prosecute under general law for unjustified interference with media or
journalistic activities ? Is the analogy between law and law untenable? Is it necessary to define as
a separate responsibility and impose a penalty with a sanction?
of journalists at the international and national level.
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Constitutional law: textbook. Second Edition, Completed and Reprinted. - Tashkent: Legal literature publishing,
2020. -187 pages.