Uzbekistan has taken 147th place among 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index for 2026. Compared with the previous year, the country has risen by one position, although its score has fallen to 34.95. At the same time, since 2024 Uzbekistan has lost 14 places. Against the backdrop of a worsening long-term trend, the country's Senate has approved a plan of measures to protect journalists, increase the independence of the media and the openness of state bodies.
WHY UZBEKISTAN HAS LOST GROUND
As Gazeta.uz reports, on 15 October 2026 the Kengash of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan adopted a resolution on improving the country's position in the ranking of the international organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
In 2019–2022 Uzbekistan rose by 36 positions in the ranking, but since 2024 it has lost 14 places. At the end of 2026 the country received 34.95 points, and the international organisation assessed the situation with press freedom as "very difficult".
STATE CONTROL AND PRESSURE ON JOURNALISTS
The Senate listed the main problems noted by the international organisation. These include the insufficient development of independent private television channels, a high level of state control over the media and the close ties of certain bloggers with state bodies.
The document also points to cases of economic pressure on journalists by officials, insufficient legislative reform and limited coverage of corruption in state media.
At the same time, the Senate believes that the international organisation has not sufficiently taken into account the reforms carried out in Uzbekistan and the positive changes in the information sphere.
WHAT MEASURES THE AUTHORITIES HAVE TAKEN
To improve the situation, a special working group has been set up with the participation of representatives of parliament, state departments and non-governmental organisations.
According to the approved plan, the authorities intend to:
- Review the legislative restrictions on the activities of journalists and bloggers.
- Examine cases of criminal prosecution of media workers and the question of rehabilitating released journalists.
- Introduce annual anonymous surveys on self-censorship, pressure and professional safety.
- Improve mechanisms for protecting journalists from threats and persecution.
- Develop proposals for creating the institution of a media ombudsman and independent monitoring of freedom of speech.
Separate attention is devoted to the openness of state bodies. The plan provides for the development of uniform standards for interaction with journalists and an assessment of the performance of managers in ensuring access to information.
HOW THE AUTHORITIES INTEND TO CHANGE THE INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT
Uzbekistan also intends to send Reporters Without Borders an official appeal with arguments regarding alleged errors in the 2026 report.
The authorities plan to invite international experts and representatives of foreign media, organise their meetings with independent journalists and publish material on the reforms.
The resolution provides for quarterly reporting by the responsible departments to the Senate and the Ministry of Justice. At the same time, the actual results of the planned measures are not yet known.
