On June 27, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Center for Progressive Reforms and the University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan.

Media representatives today play a crucial role in ensuring transparency and accountability of state bodies, public oversight of the implementation of legislation and important program documents, and delivering information to the public impartially and promptly.

In recent years, Uzbekistan's media landscape has undergone significant changes. For instance, since 2016, the number of media outlets has increased by 40 percent, with 65 percent of active mass media being non-state media. In addition to traditional publications, Internet publications are developing rapidly, with their number exceeding 740.

The collaboration between the Center for Progressive Reforms and the University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan aims to create an inclusive media space in the country. This partnership supports principles of media-information literacy, tolerance, and secularism, and strives to enhance the skills of journalists and bloggers in these areas.

Within the framework of the memorandum, the following initiatives were outlined:

• Implementation of joint educational and scientific-practical projects aimed at training, retraining, and enhancing the skills of journalists and mass media employees, as well as increasing the capacity of press service employees of state bodies and organizations.
• Organization of academic programs/courses, seminars, scientific conferences, and other forms of knowledge exchange.
• Promotion of reforms in Uzbekistan by broadly informing both domestic and international audiences, including the academic community, business circles, and investors, about the ongoing changes in the country.

The parties also agreed to jointly organize events in various formats to increase media literacy among the population, especially the youth.