Awarding ceremony of the winners and prize winners of the X National Oltin Qalam (Golden Pen) award was held.

Awarding ceremony of the winners and prize winners of the X National Oltin Qalam (Golden Pen) award was held.

Much attention paid under the leadership of President Islam Karimov to the development of media, inspires media men to reach new creative frontiers.

Turkistan Palace hosted a solemn ceremony of the winners and laureates of the VIII National Oltin Qalam award in journalism on May 1.

The event, which coincided with May 3 – the World Press Freedom Day, was attended by senators, deputies, representatives of various ministries and agencies, creative and public organizations, media men, teachers and students of journalism faculties of higher educational institutions.

Chairman of the Creative Union of Journalists of Uzbekistan I.Halimbekov and others noted that under the leadership of President Islam Karimov, priority is given to continuous improvement of national journalism as an important factor in the deepening of democratic reforms, further strengthening participation in public and political life of our country, the full realization of the constitutional rights of citizens in the information sphere.

Held by the Creative Union of journalists of Uzbekistan, Public Fund for support and development of independent print media and news agencies, the National Association of electronic mass media, traditional competitions and creative projects contribute to improve the professional skills of journalists, strengthening the material-technical base revision, further improving the preparation of media materials.

This traditional competition, held by the Creative Union of Journalists of Uzbekistan and the International Training Centre for Journalists in conjunction with the National Association of Electronic Mass Media, Public Fund for Support and Development of Independent Print Media and News Agencies of Uzbekistan, the National Television and Radio Company, the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Uzbekistan, the Council Federation of Trade Unions and the UzReport news agency, is an important factor in stimulating dedicated journalists, devoted to their country and profession.

The main objective of the contest is to popularize the achievements of national and international journalism. Over the years the competition was attended by about 4 thousand journalists with more than 51 thousand creative works. In previous competitions, 207 journalists became the prize winners of the National Oltin Qalam award, about 60 journalists received awards, established by the offices of international organizations in Uzbekistan.

676 journalists presenting about 15 thousand materials participated in the X National Oltin Qalam award.

Organization and conduct of the contest, as well as the costs, associated with rewarding the winners have been funded by the Public Fund for Support of NGOs and other civil society institutions at the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Grand Prix of the X National Oltin Qalam award was awarded Uzreport TV television channel. The television channel team was awarded with a special diploma, a badge of Oltin Qalam, a statuette and a cash prize in the amount of 200 minimum wage.

The winners and prize winners of the creative competition in the areas of television, radio, print and Internet journalism were also presented with certificates, Oltin Qalam badges, statuette and cash prize.

The representative offices of international organizations in our country such as the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the World Bank, "Regional Dialogue" (Slovenia) have presented their awards in relevant categories.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan E.Basithanova spoke in the event.

The event finished with a concert of famous and young singers.