Telegram, television, and social media have emerged as the primary channels for news consumption among residents of Uzbekistan, according to the findings of the country's first national media consumption study. However, public trust in these platforms varies dramatically, with traditional television commanding a 44.3% trust rating compared to a mere 11.3% for Telegram channels.

The comprehensive research project was carried out by the Public Fund for Support and Development of National Mass Media in cooperation with the European delegation in Uzbekistan, the Presidential Administration's Media Content Preparation Center, and the "Iжtimoiy fikr" Public Opinion Research Center. The survey involved 1,411 respondents over the age of 18 across all 14 regions of the country, covering both urban and rural demographics.

The data indicates that while 51.6% of participants rely on Telegram for news and 86.1% use the messenger overall, television retains strong loyalty, particularly among older demographics. Among citizens aged 55 and older, 77.4% still prefer television. Meanwhile, among television broadcasters, "O‘zbekiston 24" enjoys the highest level of viewer trust.

Furthermore, the study highlighted a perceived shortage of critical socio-economic topics in local media. Approximately 41.3% of respondents pointed out a lack of reporting on prices, incomes, employment, and social support, while over 40% noted insufficient coverage of daily grassroots issues. Audience members also expressed a growing demand for deeper analytical journalism and objective reporting.

Addressing digital safety, the survey revealed that fake news is perceived as a major threat by 46.6% of participants, who frequently encounter disinformation on digital platforms. Consequently, an overwhelming 77.4% of respondents advocated for stricter legal accountability for media outlets that disseminate false or unverified information.

Source: podrobno.uz