On 18-19 May, a two-day training session for journalists, bloggers and court press service representatives was held in Nukus focusing on professional news coverage of court proceedings and legal issues. The event was organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan in co-operation with the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Public Foundation for Support and Development of National Mass Media.
The programme's objective was to help journalists and bloggers report on the work of courts and legal proceedings in a competent, clear and responsible manner. A second two-day session is being held in Tashkent on 21-22 May.
Organizers emphasized that journalists' access to court proceedings and accurate coverage of them contributes to greater transparency, enables society to receive objective information, and reinforces the principles of fair trial and the presumption of innocence.
Over the two days, participants explored how the judicial system in Uzbekistan is structured, what distinguishes court reporting from legal journalism, and why it is essential to maintain a balance between public interest and the rights of individuals involved in legal proceedings.
Separate sessions were dedicated to the ethical and legal boundaries of journalism, including the protection of personal data, respect for the judiciary, and the risks of defamation and dissemination of unverified information. International experts from Bulgaria explained how to work with court documents, verify facts and make complex legal topics accessible to a wider audience.
The Nukus and Tashkent events continue a broader, systematic effort to develop legal journalism in the country. Similar trainings have previously been held in Fergana and Samarkand.
