A two-day training session was held in Nukus on May 18–19, for journalists, bloggers, and court press service representatives, focusing on reporting on court proceedings and legal issues. The event was organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Public Foundation for Support and Development of National Mass Media.
The training aimed to improve participants’ skills in covering judicial processes in a clear, accurate, and professionally responsible manner. A follow-up session on the same topic is scheduled to take place in Tashkent on May 21–22.
According to the organizers, broader access to court proceedings and accurate reporting contributes to transparency in the judicial system, supports public access to objective information, and reinforces legal principles such as fair trial standards and the presumption of innocence.
During the sessions, participants examined the structure of Uzbekistan’s judicial system and discussed the differences between court reporting and legal journalism. The program also addressed the importance of balancing public interest with the rights of individuals involved in legal proceedings.
Additional modules focused on ethical and legal aspects of journalism, including personal data protection, respect for judicial institutions, and risks related to defamation and the dissemination of unverified information. International experts from Bulgaria provided guidance on working with court documents, verifying information, and presenting complex legal material in an accessible format.
The training in Nukus and Tashkent is part of a broader program aimed at developing legal journalism in Uzbekistan. Similar workshops have previously been conducted in Fergana and Samarkand.
