This day serves as a reminder for us of the fundamental principles of press freedom, allowing us to assess the state of press freedom, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

On 3rd May of 1991 in Windhoek, Namibia, UNESCO organized a seminar to promote an Independent and Pluralistic African Press. The newspaper journalists in Africa put together free press principles and created a document which went down in history as the Declaration of Windhoek. Two years later, according to the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference, by decision 48/432 of 20 December 1993, the UN General Assembly proclaimed the World Press Freedom Day and proposed to celebrate it on 3rd of May - the day when Declaration of Windhoek was endorsed. Since then, every year on 3rd of May, activities dedicated to the World Press Freedom Day are held around the world.

They glorify media workers, who are accomplishing their duty in hotspots despite different threats, and the principles of free and independent media, crucial for democracy.

A great attention is paid to this date in our country as well. Each year a number of events are held and measures are undertaken within the frameworks of carrying out reforms for democratization and liberalization of mass media. First of all, a strong legal base, ensuring development of mass media and adhering to democratic requirements and standards, has been created. During the years of independence around 10 legislative documents, aimed at free and rapid development of mass media and ensuring effective functioning of information and media sector, have been adopted and these activities are being steadily continued.

In accordance with the objectives of reforming the media sector, ensuring the freedom of speech and media, as outlined in the Concept of further deepening democratic reforms and formation of civil society in the country, several draft laws such as \"on transparency of the state and governing bodies of Uzbekistan\", \"on TV and radio broadcasts\", \"on economic bases of mass media activities\", \"on guarantees of state support to the mass media\" have been introduced and are under public discussion. Several new NGOs were established in order to strengthen the material, technical and personnel base and to support nongovernmental mass media, which play a key role in civil society formation. Such endeavours can be seen as the practical sign of strengthening the role of media organizations operating in our country in the world information area. As a result of this, only in the last 10 years the number of print media increased 1,5 times and the electronic media 7 times respectively, and nowadays their total number exceed 1250. About 53% of all TV channels and 85% of radio channels are non-governmental ones. The mass media outlets are operating in 7 languages of nationalities and ethnicities, living in Uzbekistan. Print materials and TV programs are also being distributed in English.

In our country a great attention is paid to rewarding the work of media personnel. This is exemplified by the national \"Golden Pen\" award, dedicated to the World Press Freedom Day and established by the initiative of our President. The Creative Union of Journalists of Uzbekistan and International in-service training center for journalists in cooperation with several organizations are holding the contest aimed at popularizing achievements of national journalists, creating favorable conditions for media workers to express their civic position, forming critical thinking skills and a new attitude in journalists to their own activities. The contest is held on TV, radio, press and online journalism categories.

At the same time in order to develop specialization of journalists and to increase their activity within the society, several incentive categories have been established. If in the first National award of 2006 winners were selected on 13 categories (3 main and 10 incentive prizes), in 2012 they are selected on 27 categories (1 grand prize, 12 main and 14 incentive prizes). This year a new category “For the best material dedicated to the year of family” was introduced. The fact that one of the awards is given to the foreign journalists, who report on the life of our country and the processes of renovation, is enlarging the scope of the competition. It can be mentioned that in six contests held so far, 155 journalists were awarded main and incentive prizes. Furthermore, 35 journalists received prizes established by the representative offices of prestigious international organizations (UN, UNESCO and World Bank) in Uzbekistan.

In this year’s international selection for the VII “Golden pen” National award, 460 journalists have taken part with more than 8300 creative works.

The award ceremony of winners of this prestigious contest will be held at the “Turkiston” palace in Tashkent on 3 rd of May – The World Press Freedom Day.

Creative Union of Journalists of Uzbekistan