President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during his visit to the newly built school No. 71 in Karshi district of Kashkadarya province, once again expressed support for the media, his spokesman Sherzod Asadov said.
“We had not heard the fair voice of the people (during previous administration – Ed.) because we had been a closed country and did not support the media. How do Like the wind of freedom? Me, I like it. Yes, it's harder for me to work that way. And my aides tell me: “Close them down”. But I won't close. So that, as before, the prosecutor and the National Security Service would inspect, the President asked.
However Shavkat Mirziyoyev did not elaborate on on what grounds he was entitled to close them or introduce censorship for them.
The head of state also noted that it was necessary to be "friends" with the media.
“Let them speak out, but they must speak fairly. Let them criticize, but they should criticize justly. If this will benefit the villages, schools, education, it will be even better. As far as possible, I spend two hours reading news every day, including on the Internet, I take a pen and note for myself. Out of 10 opinions, 9 are correct. Is this the right direction? Yes,” he said.
In February 2021, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during a conversation with journalists, said that they “should not stop fair reporting of achievements and shortcomings.” "Do not be afraid. The president is behind you,” he said at the time.
The President also proposed to punish officials for censorship, pressure and interference in the work of the media.
