November28, 2014
Islam Karimov Receives Russia’s Deputy PM Kozak. 2
President awards workers of National Dramatic Theatre. 2
Uzbekistan produces agriculture products for 28.094 trln. soums in Jan-Sep. 2
Media Community: Trends and Prospects. 3
POLICY
Islam Karimov Receives Russia’s Deputy PM Kozak
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak on November 26 at the Oqsaroy.
During what has been a circumstantial conversation, the Uzbek leader expressed satisfaction with the current state of trade and economic relations between the two nations and pointed out that Uzbekistan stands for dynamic advancement and diversification of investment and commerce interaction with Russia.
President Islam Karimov said he appreciated the outcomes of the sixteenth session of the intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Russian Fedreation.
Further enhancement of mutually advantageous trade-economic and investment ties is considered a priority aspect of the bilateral relations. Russia traditionally is Uzbekistan’s important partner in this sphere. Thus, the trade turnover between our two countries in 2013 exceeded 7 billion US dollars, while in the nine months of the current year it reached 4.55 billion dollars.
It was stressed at the same time that the volume of mutual trade hardly reflects the potential our two nations have.
Interaction in transport and transit shipping is also crucial in the expansion of bilateral cooperation.
Th relations between Uzbekistan and Russia have been developing steadily on the basis of the Strategic Partnership Treaty, signed 16 June 2004, and the Alliance Relationships Agreement, penned 14 November 2005.
(Source: Press-service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
President Awards Workers of National Dramatic Theatre
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree “On awarding the grouo of theatre workers in connection with 100th anniversary of the Uzbek National Academic Dramatic Theatre” on 27 November 2014.
According to the decree, actor of the theatre Asadillo Nabiev received a title “Honored artist of Uzbekistan”. Actress Tuti Yusuova was awarded with Fidokorona Hizmatlari Uchun order.
In line with the decree, Mehnat Shuhrati orders were conferred to actress Dildora Ikramova and actor Fathulla Masudov.
Actor Abduraim Abduvahabov, artists Babaniyaz Kurbanov and Svetlana Tsoy were decorated with Dustlikorders.
President of Uzbekistan also awarded Shuhrat orders to actor Mirolim Kilichev and head of department of lighting Mahmudjon Aripdjanov.
They were awarded for contribution to developing and lifting theatre art to new level in Uzbekistan, preserving and augmenting rich cultural heritage and traditions of Uzbek people, active participating in public life.
(Source: UzDaily.com)
economy
Uzbekistan Produces Agriculture Products for 28.094 trln. soums in Jan-Sep
In January-September 2014, the gross agricultural output of Uzbekistan made up 28.094 trillion soums, which rose by 6,8% year-on-year, of which output of plant-growing – 16.39 trillion soums (+6.7%) and animal husbandry – 11.705 trillion soums (+7%) (currency rates of CB RU from 28.11.2014 1$= 2401.09 soums).
Plant-growing
In January-September 2014, the share of crop production in the total agricultural output was 58.3%.
Uzbekistan produced potatoes at the volume of 1.862 million tonnes (+11% y-o-y), vegetables – 6.712 million tonnes (+11.4%), melons and gourds – 1.215 million tonnes (+9.3%), fruits and berries – 1.712 million tonnes (+11.5%) and grape – 991,600 tonnes (+9.3%).
Animal husbandry
In January-September 2014, the share of animal production in the total agricultural output was 41.7%.
As of 1 October 2014, the population of cattle increased by 429,900 heads (+4.1%) of which cows by 57,800 heads (+1.4%), sheep and goats – by 680,300 heads (+3.79%), poultry – by 3.843 million heads (+7.6%).
In the total stock, the share of cattle in dekhkan farms was 94%, in private farms – 4.9%, cows – 94.7% and 4.5%, sheep and goats – 83.3% and 7.3%, horses – 84.48% and 9.5%, poultry – 62.9% and 12.2% respectively.
In January-September 2014, farms of all types produced 1.384 million tonnes of meat in living weight (6.8% more than in January-September 2013), 6.03 million tonnes of milk (+7%), 3.749 billion eggs (+12.3%), 27,100 tonnes of wool (+6.7%).
The production of animal products (meat, milk, eggs) in all regions has mainly increased at the expense of dekhkan and private farms. The share of dekhkan farms in total production of meat was 94.9%, milk – 96%, eggs – 55.8%.
Private farms
The output produced by private farms in January-September of 2014 was 8.6 trillion soums or grew by 3.7% year-on-year.
As of 1 October 2014, number of cattle rose by 10,400 heads (+2%), cows – by 2,500 heads (+1.4%), goats and sheep – by 43,400 heads (+3.4%), poultry – 399,000 heads (+6.4%).
(Source: UzDaily.com)
Society
Media Community: Trends and Prospects
Uzbekistan’s media community has been abuzz with events this week as the fourth national forum ‘The Press of Uzbekistan’ took place in Tashkent on Wednesday and a three-day exhibition of media products is wrapping up today.
Organizers of the media events include the Public Fund for the Support and Development of Independent Print Media and News Agencies of Uzbekistan, the Legislative Chamber of the Uzbek Parliament, the State Committee of Communication, Information and Telecommunication Technologies, and the Creative Union of Journalists.
The annual national forum ‘Press of Uzbekistan’ has once again provided a broad platform to focus on and discuss the current state of the media environment in Uzbekistan. A host of representatives of media organizations exchanged views and discussed the implementation of reforms aimed at the liberalization and democratization of the media, improvement of media legislation and the legal foundations of the regulation of media activities in Uzbekistan.
NATIONAL FORUM: PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
The events brought together a large number of participants, among them senators, deputies, national media experts, representatives of international organizations as well as directors, editors and young journalists from central and regional media organizations. Those gathered discussed in a constructive fashion the results achieved and defined tasks for the near future.
The forum and the exhibition of print products saw scores of experts and representatives discuss issues in the provision of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, revamp of media companies, provision of comprehensive government support for media and introduction of cutting-edge innovations and management technologies to the creative labs of press organizations.
In spite of the fact that issues related to law enforcement practice and those related to journalistic activities tend to take center stage during media events, this time media professionals also zeroed in on trends in market relations, including those in the area of information. The primary task of each project overseen by the Public Fund for the Support and Development of Independent Print Media and News Agencies and the mission of the media days under way in the capital city is to ratchet up the media’s participation and boost its role in the modernization of the country and democratization of society, development of national information space, discussion of issues in the streamlining of interaction between independent publishing entities and civil society, and the development of the legal and economic base of media activities.
The annual national forum ‘The Press of Uzbekistan’ is held in line with a Concept of ramping up democratic reforms and shaping a civil society put forth by the President of Uzbekistan. It defines priorities that are crucial to addressing issues in moving toward more democratic and more liberal state and social construction as a whole and pinpoints current trends in the modernization of media space in Uzbekistan.
While presenting national experience in publishing and journalistic activities and analyzing trends in the media, the participants noted the significant role the media play in the system of civil society institutions, exercising public control over authorities and state administration bodies, ensuring open and transparent reforms, and performance of the media as a link between state and society.
In this context, the discussion of implementation of the law “On the Transparency of the Activities of Authorities and State Administration Bodies”, passed in spring this year, is seen as downright relevant.
“During these days, which are vital for the country’s media market in terms of detailed summarizing and planning, we can talk openly about the progress we have achieved in interaction between the government and all levels of administration with the media. Aimed at raising public awareness of the activities of state authorities, their transparency, and establishing feedback with the public, the legislative act has took public awareness of the ongoing reforms to a new level. It ensured pluralism and transparency of state authorities, and practically presented the main indicators of a democratic society, freedom of expression and information,” says an expert of the Public Fund for the Support and Development of Independent Print Media and News Agencies of Uzbekistan, Zafar Yakubov. “During the National Forum representatives of state authorities gave specific examples of when the law fully justifies the originally inherent ideological mechanisms and fully ensured implementation of the tasks set before the adoption of the legislative act.”
The media community believes that the implementation of a package of organizational and regulatory measures to ensure freedom of speech and information has paved way for dynamic development of the media sector in Uzbekistan, the growing number of media outlets, especially nongovernmental ones. In a decade, the number of registered national media has doubled. The share of private sector media has increased almost twice against 2010.
As noted by participants, television remains one of the major sources of information, covering 98% of the population. Over recent years, the broadcasting system has been completely restructured. In 2005, The TV and Radio Company of Uzbekistan was transformed into the National Broadcasting Company, comprising 12 television and radio channels. The broadcasts are regularly updated by nongovernmental channels, many of them aired in the regions, covering important processes on the ground.
Cutting-edge digital and multimedia technologies have been introduced in the process of program production. The domestic telecommunications system has direct international channels in 28 directions with access to 180 countries worldwide, and online broadcasting. The program of transition to digital broadcasting is underway.
The dynamically evolving market requires much effort and investment in quality education and staff training. Over the past five years, phased implementation of the National Program for Training and Retraining of Media Workers has provided the national media with more than 2,500 skilled young journalists, who have greatly increased the capacity of editorials and their competitiveness.
The further specialization and advanced training of media staff is normally in charge of relevant NGOs. Discussing the relevant issues, the forum participants noted that civil society institutions and representatives of the ‘third sector’, associated with the media, are actively engaged in addressing pressing problems of democratization in information sector, and improvement of quality of content in national editions and media channels. There are successful examples of operation of the Public Fund for Support and Development of NGOs and Other Civil Society Institutions under the Parliament of Uzbekistan, the Creative Union of Journalists, the Public Fund for Support and Development of Independent Print Media and News Agencies, the National Association of Electronic Mass Media, the Journalist Training Center, and many others. As of 2008, the Government Budget and the above-listed organizations have allocated over nine billion soums to support independent media (currency rates of CB RU from 28.11.2014 1$= 2401.09 soums).
Outlined in the Concept, stages of elaboration and revision of draft laws were identified as key references for masters of the pen at the start of Media Days. That is why during the debates the media community and experts gave the highest priority to the new regulations: in the long term they will draw the trends of the media market.
The MPs presented the current realities of lawmaking in the field of mass media and ICT. The list is dominated by a bill on the economic foundations of media activities, on guarantees of state support of the media, and on public control in the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Designating a new stage with the past years in mind, both media experts and lawmakers pointed out the current regulatory framework of free development of the information sector, and its compliance with democratic standards. For instance, in the last decade alone, the government has approved more than a dozen legislative acts aimed at dynamic and free development of the information sector, protection of journalists, journalist training, improvement of conditions of the media market, building of a competitive environment, introduction of advanced information and communication technologies, ensuring transparency and openness of ongoing socio-political and socio-economic reforms.
Adoption of the law on the principles and guarantees of freedom of information has become vital in terms of implementation of each person’s right to free and unhindered access and use of information, as well as data protection and information security of the individual, society and the state. Changes and amendments that have been introduced to the laws on the media (new edition), on telecommunications, on advertising, on copyright and related rights, and other legislative acts in recent years, have promoted democratic reforms in the media. The country has implemented large-scale institutional reforms aimed at the development of nongovernmental mass media, and their active involvement in the democratization of the information sector.
The media related laws are fully consistent with universally recognized international democratic standards. The provisions of international regulations pertaining to free search, obtaining and dissemination of information, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and in other international instruments, were completely implemented in the national legislation of Uzbekistan in the field of information.
The legislative acts that were approved in the years of independence have contributed to the successful development of nongovernmental media sector and new types of mass communication media in the information space of Uzbekistan, and accelerated evolvement of the Internet segment.
“Today is the first time when development trends of the so-called ‘i-media’, a new journalism field, were scrutinized so closely,” says Chief Editor of Ziyo.uz website Davron Tadjaliev. “The fact of the annually growing number of new websites since the domain ‘.uz’ was registered on April 29, 1995 is the actual outcome of integrated measures on the development and implementation of ICT in the information sector of Uzbekistan. In February 2010, the national Internet space registered the 10,000th website. As of last September, their number has exceeded 18,300.
This is partly conditioned by legislative simplification of procedures of media registration, secured inadmissibility of censorship, and by the regulations providing the opportunity of exclusively legal suspension of the operation of the media.
The broad range of media entities has entailed certain prerequisites for the formation of a holistic information space, as well as for the country’s accelerated progress towards the information society. Such a strategy allows Uzbekistan, as summed up by the participants, to integrate into the global information space as an equal partner and dynamically build the capacity of the media market within the country.
According to participants, as a traditional platform for presentation of new products and ideas, exchange of views and experience, the National Forum has put the spotlight on the promising trends for the press, analyzed the current capacity of TV and radio broadcasting, and highlighted innovations in the media sector and development of online journalism. Moreover, the annual dialogue of the top figures of the country’s media space has mapped out the positions of all the representatives of the information field of Uzbekistan for the future, and helped to coordinate the efforts of media outlets in ensuring rapid development of domestic journalism.
MASTER CLASS BY FOREIGN GUEST
The Estonian media Ombudsman Tarmu Tammerk gave a master class as part of the Fourth National Forum. ‘Press of Uzbekistan’.
Speaking to journalism students of core universities, the foreign expert unveiled the know-how of journalist self-regulation, arranged a fascinating journey into the world of journalism for the future experts of the field and students of respective departments of Tashkent universities.
“The master class was not just an opportunity to learn from the foreign colleagues, but also to share my creative ideas,” said a student of International Journalism Department at the Uzbek State World Languages University, Ruslan Chikarev. “I hope the knowledge I have gained during the workshop will help me in the future.”
As part of the National Forum ‘Press Uzbekistan’, the Estonian expert was pleased to talk with young journalists, the future of the national press. Tarmu Tammerk estimated the work as effective and fruitful. From students he learned much about media tendencies of the domestic information market.
The participants of the master class touched upon the standards of Professional Code of Journalistic Ethics, which is currently under discussion with leading practicing journalists. Students offered their own views of the image of the present day journalist and shared their opinion of self-regulation of media workers. It is noteworthy that enthusiastic and ambitious young men and women have agreed with the draft of the Professional Code of Ethics and even proposed their own recommendations and views, which, they believe, should help journalists to work with materials and sources of information, and guide press services in their collaboration with media.
“I’m glad that the students have another opportunity to exchange experience with foreign experts, as almost all of them have certain experience in publishing their own stories,” said Nargis Qosimova, Faculty Head at the International Journalism Department under the Uzbek State World Languages University, sharing her impressions.
EAGERLY AWAITED AND CRUCIAL
This is how the annual exhibition ‘Press of Uzbekistan’ is featured. It has brought together over two hundred leading journalists and experts of the information sector.
In 2011, at the first time of the exhibition, its enthusiastic participants noted the relevance and timeliness of the creation of this platform for the presentation of experience and a visual exchange of creative ideas.
Held in Tashkent, this laboratory of journalism has initially drawn a huge interest and then gained prestige of the media community and specialists of related fields – publishing and printing, advertising and management, business and HR.
As acknowledged by the participants, the event was a welcome yet on its early days. In 2011, there was a need in the professional dialogue that would allow the publishers, reporters and media managers comparing notes and keeping abreast of the time, as well as would encourage for improving the quality of content, catalyze PR-campaigns in the media within subscription campaigns, bolster media competitiveness in general.
Getting acquainted with Uzexpocenter stands at a leisurely pace, every visitor unconsciously notices the details: monitors with banner advertising, a bright palette of printed products, an endless stream of information in the brochures and on the stands. The exposition is getting brighter and more informative with the years. The popularity of a publication could be judged by the excitement near its stand.
“The exhibition is interesting primarily because it brings together both prominent and new publishers. For us, future journalists, it’s a new and abundant world of profession, the secret door of which, like in the fairy tale, is opened by a ‘golden key’ – namely the Media Days in Tashkent,” shared a student of the International Journalism Department at the Uzbek State World Languages University, Lyudmila Nacharova.
The regional media community, in turn, was very enthusiastic about the ‘editorial entrails’ of the Tashkent media outlets, including stands of national newspapers Xalq So’zi – Narodnoe Slovo (People’s Word), Pravda Vostoka (Truth of the East), Molodyozh Uzbekistana (Youth of Uzbekistan), and others.
“This is a space for a broad exchange of views,” said a reporter of the Andijannoma newspaper Akbar Nazarov. “We really needed this kind of a dialogue, so I am glad it has become a tradition.”
The first national exhibition ‘Press of Uzbekistan’ was combined with the traditional international exhibitions O‘zbek in Print, O‘zUpack, O‘zreklama. According to organizers, that had a reason behind it, since the development of the media is closely linked to the growing opportunities of publishing and printing industry, modern technologies, materials, and equipment. Media representatives anticipated a useful dialogue and news hooks for the further work from the Media Days. By tradition, the exhibition was attended by the country’s flagship publishing houses and printing companies.
According to the participants, all the events of the forum have contributed to the promotion of the competition, motivated for the most daring and creative ideas, introduction and optimization of current management realities in domestic editions and administrations of TV and radio channels, further advancement of the publishing and printing industry, strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation and addressing other relevant issues pertaining to the further implementation of market mechanisms in the media industry.
(Source: «Uzbekistan Today» newspaper)
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