Uzbekistan Digital Rights Media Initiative
Project description
Lead organisation and coordinator: Modern Journalism Development Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan (MJDC)
Implementing co-partner: Public Fund “Legal Policy Research Centre” (LPRC)
Associated partner: Republican Social Information Center “ISTIQBOLLI AVLOD”, Uzbekistan
Funding: European Union
The project aims to promote and protect digital rights in Uzbekistan through media, training and cooperation among professional communities. It supports journalists, civil society organisations and legal professionals in protecting freedom of expression online, access to information, privacy and personal data, and in improving digital security for internet users.
LPRC is an implementing co-partner and provides expert support for project activities. The Centre helps engage international specialists, develop training materials and facilitate exchanges of experience across Central Asia. It also contributes to public outreach and advocacy for recommendations on digital rights protection.
Objectives
1) Strengthen the knowledge and practical skills of media representatives, civil society and professional groups to promote and protect digital rights and respond to violations.
2) Raise public awareness of digital rights and online safety in Uzbekistan through an information campaign.
Main target groups
1) Journalists, bloggers, editorial staff and other media professionals, particularly those working outside the capital.
2) Civil society organisations and activists, including those defending the rights of women, children, young people, migrants, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
3) Media lawyers, advocates and digital rights specialists.
4) University lecturers, researchers and curriculum specialists.
5) Representatives of public authorities and national human rights institutions.
The project's final beneficiaries are internet users in Uzbekistan, including children and young people, women and girls, and residents of urban and rural areas.
Key project components
Media Academy on Digital Rights. Training and mentoring are planned for 50 journalists and other media professionals. The programme covers freedom of expression online, access to information, digital security, personal data protection, legal and ethical aspects of digital journalism, fact-checking and countering hate speech.
Training for civil society organisations and activists. The programme for 50 participants combines in-person sessions and webinars on digital security, promoting and protecting digital rights, preparing analytical materials, and engaging with the media and public authorities.
Professional development for media lawyers and advocates. The programme for 40 participants includes thematic training, case analysis and moot courts. The project supports the development of a professional community of lawyers and mentoring on at least five strategic cases concerning digital rights protection.
Three separate practical guides for media representatives, civil society organisations and legal professionals will be developed in Uzbek and Russian and made available online.
Integrating digital rights into university curricula. A seminar for 30 representatives of universities and the relevant ministry will explore how to include digital rights in journalism and legal education. It will result in recommendations for universities and the responsible public authorities.
Regional dialogue. A Central Asian conference on “Digital Rights in the Age of Digitalization” is planned for at least 60 representatives of public authorities, the media, civil society and the expert community. Participants will discuss recommendations to improve legislation and its implementation in Uzbekistan and other countries in the region.
Awareness-raising campaign and advocacy. Articles, social media posts and publications on partner websites will help a wider audience learn about digital rights and how to protect them. Engagement with public authorities and regional initiatives will support advocacy for the project's recommendations.
The project runs for 24 months with financial support from the European Union.
For more information, please contact info@lprc.kz
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Public Foundation “Legal Policy Research Centre” (LPRC) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
