A solemn event dedicated to June 27 – Press and Mass Media Workers Day was held at the Uzbek National Academic Drama Theater. 

The event was attended by members of the Senate, deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, representatives of ministries, agencies, public organizations, honorary journalists, publishers, polygraphists, professors and teachers of higher education institutions. 

A congratulatory message of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to press and mass media workers was read by the State Advisor to the President H.Sultanov. 

This year, for the first time in history, according to the Decree of the President of the country a group of workers making a worthy contribution to the development of the sphere was awarded with high state awards in connection with this significant date. This gave the holiday a peculiar atmosphere and high spirits. At the event, the high awards were solemnly presented. 

It was noted that in the country the Head of the state pays great attention to development of the mass media, enhancing effectiveness of the national press. Great gratitude was expressed to the President for a worthy appraisal of the work of workers in the sphere.

Currently, there are more than 1500 media in the country, including 700 newspapers, 309 magazines, 65 TV, 35 radio, 4 news agencies, 15 newsletters, 395 websites. It is the share of non-state media that account for 66 percent of the country’s TV and radio channels, and 50 percent of print media. Before gaining independence, there were 395 media in the republic, almost all of them were state-owned. 

The reforms implemented in the sphere require training of personnel meeting modern requirements. In particular, the resolution of the Head of the state “On formation of the University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan” of May 24, 2018 became a historical document in this direction.

Nazokat Usmanova, photos by Temur Mamadaminov, UzA