Interaction between Ombudsman and mass media

Mass media plays an important role in the implementation of informational and educational activities of the Institute of Ombudsman. Ombudsman and the staff of his Institute take active part in interpretation of provisions of the Law on the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), in providing information on the issues of observance and protection of human rights through newspapers and magazines, as well as television and radio. Mass media representatives take active part in the broadcasting of events, which are held at the Institute of the Authorized Person for Human Rights (Ombudsman).

Mass media can provide substantial support in uniting society in the combat for the rule of law, for the supremacy of human rights and freedoms, by generating positive public opinion towards the state bodies and officials who observe the law, and by forming negative public opinion as regards its violators and perpetrators. In the exercise of his informational and educational activities it is expedient for Ombudsman to actively utilize opportunities possessed by mass media and develop partnerships with media in the area of human rights education.

For the purposes of effective exercise of Ombudsman’s functions in the area of raising awareness of human rights, generating public understanding of a necessity to respect and ensure observance of human rights, creating human rights culture, as well as improving the level of knowledge of human rights issues, it is anticipated to develop cooperation between the Institute of Ombudsman and mass media in the following areas:

1. Cooperation between Ombudsman and mass media in the area of building awareness of human rights among general public;

2. Promoting activities of Ombudsman and other national human rights institutions;

4. Broadcasting results of human rights monitoring activities undertaken by Ombudsman;

Periodical legal publications play an important role in improving legal awareness of population, providing citizens with broad access to legal information, discussing urgent issues in the improvement of legislative and judicial systems. The Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 18 October 2005 “On the Measures for Further Development of Legal Magazines in the Republic of Uzbekistan” envisages active participation of the Institute of Ombudsman in activities pertaining to publication of the “Democracy and Human Rights” Magazine, in the position of co-founder. With this purpose the Institute of Ombudsman participated in the preparation of new concept and constitutional documents for the magazine.