Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has released its 2026 World Press Freedom Index, ranking Uzbekistan 147th out of 180 countries. Although the country rose one spot from 148th in 2024 and 2025, its overall score decreased from 35.24 to 34.95.

The decline was recorded in three of five indicators: political, legal, and cultural/societal. Only the economic and safety indicators showed slight improvement. RSF noted that conditions for media have barely improved since the death of President Islam Karimov in 2016, and criticism of authorities remains extremely difficult.

Uzbekistan has no private television network; state radio broadcasts official propaganda, while private radio stations avoid criticism for fear of closure. Fewer than 15 online media outlets publish quality content, some based abroad, including the blocked Radio Ozodlik (RFE/RL). The government maintains tight control over media and pro-government bloggers, and repressive media laws remain unreformed.

Laws restricting foreign funding, including from USAID, hinder independent media development. The Eastern Europe – Central Asia region ranks second-to-last in the index. Georgia fell 21 places to 135th, Armenia dropped 16 to 50th. Kazakhstan is 149th, Kyrgyzstan 146th. Bottom-ranked countries include Belarus (165), Azerbaijan (171), Russia (172), and Turkmenistan (173). Ukraine rose to 55th despite the war.

Norway tops the index for the tenth consecutive year, followed by the Netherlands, Estonia, Denmark, and Sweden. The top ten also includes Finland, Ireland, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Portugal.

RSF reports that for the first time in 25 years, the average global score is at its lowest, with over half of countries rated as having a “difficult” or “very difficult” situation. Laws restricting press freedom, often under national security pretexts, are eroding the right to information even in democracies.

Source: www.gazeta.uz