At an extended meeting of the Republican Council for Spirituality and Enlightenment, held on December 22, 2023, chaired by the President, the effectiveness of reforms implemented in spirituality, education, culture, art, and creativity was discussed, and upcoming priority tasks were identified.

Social networks sometimes promote positions contrary to Uzbekistan’s Constitution and laws. There are cases when some people ignore the administrative and criminal liability established in the country’s legislation for disseminating false information and spreading fake news to increase the number of subscribers.

The goals of the international forum “The Role of Media in Inciting Hatred and Violence”, held on November 26 in Saudi Arabia at the initiative of the Union of OIC News Agencies and the Muslim World League, correspond to the tasks voiced by the President of Uzbekistan. At the forum, media experts, academics, and religious leaders discussed the ethical responsibilities of the international media in addressing complex international issues with sensitive cultural and religious boundaries.

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Uzbekistan National News Agency Utkir Alimov emphasized the importance of developing a strategy at the international level to combat the unreasonable growth of fake news and disinformation, especially on social networks. This, in turn, is associated with the need to improve internal communications and management and establish systemic relations with external audiences. He emphasized the relevance of the joint work of international media to end the ideology of hatred towards people, ensure peace and security, protect the rights and opportunities of all people in the world, the role of legislation in increasing moral responsibility, strengthening relations between journalists and representatives of the legal sphere.

The UzA representative said that media workers should feel great moral responsibility and, in conclusion, recalled the words of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev: “If the economy is an organism that ensures the life of society, then spirituality is its heart and soul”.

The effectiveness of the large-scale reforms carried out in Uzbekistan is inextricably linked with the development of the spirituality of the people, culture and art, science and education, a deep study of the rich historical heritage, the preservation of traditions and customs, and most importantly – with the change and development of the thinking of society.

Muharrama Pirmatova, UzA