In a lively conference hall in Tashkent, the third Uzbekistan–Russia Media Forum brought together journalists, officials, and media experts for conversations that went far beyond formal speeches and diplomatic greetings. Presidential Press Secretary Sherzod Asadov opened the event with a wide-ranging overview of Uzbekistan’s media sector, internet accessibility, publishing industry, and information security. His presentation was filled with numbers, but it was also a portrait of a society that is changing faster than many people outside the country realize. Internet coverage in Uzbekistan has reached 94 percent, meaning that almost the entire population now has access to the online world. The number of mass media outlets operating in the country has climbed to nearly 2,700, and roughly 67 percent of them are privately owned. Perhaps even more striking is the growth of active internet content consumers, from 14.7 million in 2017 to more than 32.7 million today. Behind these statistics are real people: students in remote villages doing research for school projects, small business owners promoting their products on social media, grandparents video-calling relatives, and young families watching news, films, and educational programs on their phones. The dramatic expansion of internet coverage and media diversity is not just about infrastructure. It is about access to information, freedom of expression, and the ability of people to tell their own stories. Asadov’s speech was an invitation to understand how much everyday life in Uzbekistan has changed over the past several years. It also set the stage for a forum focused on practical cooperation, professional exchanges, and the shared challenges that media professionals now face in a world where information can be created and spread by anyone, anywhere, at any time.
The growth of Uzbekistan’s publishing industry offers another glimpse into this cultural transformation. According to Asadov, production volume in the publishing sector has doubled this year. More than 15,000 book titles have been published, and their combined circulation has exceeded 60 million copies. These are not just abstract figures in an official report. They represent novels read on commuter trains, textbooks used in classrooms, poetry collections that inspire young people, and children’s books that open new worlds for first-time readers. A thriving publishing sector helps preserve national identity, supports local authors, and creates a bridge between generations. The digital side of the media world is just as impressive. The Content Center, a state-backed platform, has produced more than 26,000 media products during the year, and those materials have accumulated nearly 2 billion views. That level of engagement is impossible without a genuinely interested audience. It suggests that people are not passively receiving content but actively sharing it, discussing it, and participating in a broader cultural conversation. Asadov also announced the launch of the National Media Bank, which he described as the first initiative of its kind in Central Asia. The platform offers public access to tens of thousands of photographs and videos related to Uzbekistan. This is a digital treasure chest for journalists, historians, educators, and anyone who wants to understand the country’s past and present. By making these resources freely available, Uzbekistan is not only preserving its memory but also inviting the world to see the country on its own terms. In an era when attention is scarce and images are powerful, the ability to offer authentic stories and visual records is a meaningful form of cultural influence.
A closer look at the media market reveals just how much has changed in a relatively short period. Nearly 2,700 mass media outlets currently operate in Uzbekistan, and more than two-thirds of them are privately owned. This mix of state and private media creates a rich ecosystem in which different perspectives can coexist. Private ownership usually encourages competition, and competition pushes outlets to work harder to earn the trust of their audiences. At the same time, the number of active internet users has grown at an extraordinary pace. In 2017, the figure stood at 14.7 million, but it has now exceeded 32.7 million. As internet coverage approaches 94 percent, the digital divide is shrinking, and people in smaller towns, rural communities, and distant regions are gaining access to the same news, entertainment, and educational opportunities as residents of Tashkent. For a country of Uzbekistan’s size, this is a transformative shift. Being online is not just a convenience; it is a pathway to inclusion. A young person in a remote district can learn new skills, follow national debates, and even launch an online business. Older adults can reconnect with relatives abroad and discover new hobbies. Communities that were once isolated can now share their experiences with the rest of the country. This transformation also forces the government and the media to adapt to a new reality in which information travels fast and public opinion is shaped in real time. Asadov’s presentation acknowledged both the promise and the responsibility that come with this connectedness. With so many sources of information, the risk of confusion and manipulation grows, and the same digital platforms that allow Uzbekistan’s media to reach millions of people can also be used to spread lies. The forum in Tashkent was partly a response to that uncomfortable truth.
One of the most urgent issues Asadov raised was the growing spread of disinformation, including fake content created with artificial intelligence. He warned that the volume of fake content and deepfakes is doubling every year. This is a sobering statistic, especially for anyone who relies on the internet for news and information. Deepfakes, which are videos or audio recordings manipulated by AI, can be so realistic that even trained observers struggle to tell them apart from genuine footage. A fake video of a politician saying something inflammatory, a manipulated image of a public event, or a fabricated news story designed to cause panic can go viral in minutes. By the time fact-checkers respond, the damage is already done. Asadov emphasized the role of media organizations in verifying information and preventing the dissemination of misleading materials. In a world where anyone can publish anything, the job of a professional journalist becomes even more important. Media outlets are supposed to be the gatekeepers of truth, but they cannot do this work alone. They need tools, training, and international cooperation. Uzbekistan has already taken steps in this direction. Asadov noted that a dedicated educational platform has been established to strengthen media literacy and professional skills, and through it, 11,000 young professionals have received training. That is an impressive number, but it is also only a beginning. The challenge of disinformation is global, and it requires global solutions. No single country can build a complete defense against deepfakes and viral lies. What Uzbekistan and Russia can do, as Asadov suggested, is work together, share expertise, and develop common standards for fact-checking. This is not purely a technical issue; it is a matter of public trust. When people lose confidence in the information they see, they lose confidence in institutions, in elections, and in each other. The fight against disinformation is ultimately a fight to protect honest public conversation.
To address these challenges, Asadov proposed strengthening cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia and outlined four priority areas for developing bilateral media relations. The first priority involves journalist training and professional exchanges. He proposed organizing structured internships, establishing joint journalism schools, and creating shared educational platforms. Young reporters from both countries could learn from experienced editors, spend time in each other’s newsrooms, and develop professional networks that make international reporting stronger and more accurate. The second priority focuses on cooperation in combating disinformation. Uzbekistan has already created a dedicated educational platform for this purpose, and 11,000 young professionals have received training there. Asadov suggested combining the expertise of specialists from Uzbekistan and Russia to develop common fact-checking standards. This is a practical and necessary step. When journalists in two countries use the same verification methods and ethical guidelines, it becomes harder for malicious actors to exploit differences in media practices or to spread confusion across borders. The third area of cooperation involves joint technological development in digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and Big Data. These technologies are already reshaping the media industry, and countries that work together will be better prepared to use them responsibly and creatively. The fourth priority is expanding direct and regular cooperation between editorial offices, journalists, and bloggers from both countries. Official agreements between governments are useful, but real trust is built through personal connections, daily exchanges, and collaborative projects. Asadov also addressed the potential impact of disinformation and information attacks on relations between Uzbekistan and Russia. He emphasized that misleading information should not create misunderstandings between the populations of the two countries. This is especially important in a region where history, trade, and family ties bind people together. Media should strengthen those bonds, not weaken them. By proposing such a comprehensive agenda, Asadov made it clear that Uzbekistan sees Russia not only as a neighbor but as a partner in building a more honest and resilient information space.
The third Uzbekistan–Russia Media Forum continues in Tashkent with four panel sessions, a special seminar dedicated to information security in cyberspace and the protection of children, as well as business-to-business negotiations. The panel discussions cover a range of issues, from practical journalism to digital innovation, while the seminar on cyber security highlights a concern that resonates with parents everywhere. Protecting children from harmful content, online manipulation, and digital exploitation is a responsibility that transcends national borders. The B2B negotiations, meanwhile, give media companies a chance to move from conversation to concrete cooperation, signing deals and launching projects that will outlast the forum itself. For everyone in attendance, the event is more than an opportunity to exchange business cards. It is a chance to build trust that cannot be manufactured in a press release. When reporters from different countries share their experiences, when editors agree on common standards, and when media organizations train young professionals together, they are building a shared understanding of the world. That understanding is the best defense against misinformation and the foundation of a healthy public sphere. Asadov’s speech was a reminder that Uzbekistan’s media sector is no longer a developing industry waiting for recognition. It is a dynamic field with nearly 2,700 outlets, millions of engaged readers and viewers, and a growing role in international conversations. The internet coverage that now reaches 94 percent of the country has changed how people live, work, and think. The challenge for Uzbekistan and Russia, and indeed for the entire global media community, is to use this connectedness wisely. The forum in Tashkent will eventually come to a close, but the relationships formed there and the ideas shared will continue to shape how journalists work in the years ahead. At its heart, this is about more than technology or politics. It is about people’s right to know the truth, and the shared duty of media professionals everywhere to protect it.