Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has made much of his apparent support for the media in recent months.
During a February visit to the Fergana region, he appealed to journalists, “Do not be afraid to deliver [information] fairly. The president is with you.”
Two months earlier he told parliament that while “many local officials do not like provocative and critical journalistic reports, since they violate their calm and carefree existence… publicity and freedom of speech are a demand of the times, a demand of reforms in Uzbekistan”.
"Officials continue to harass and threaten journalists with impunity, while legislation continues to shrink the space for free expression."