The Internet is legally considered mass media in Uzbekistan. Article 29 of the Uzbek
Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, and Article 67 bans censorship. Freedom of information, however, can be legally restricted to protect the moral values of
society, national security, and Uzbekistan’s spiritual, cultural, and scientific potential.
The Central Inspection on Protecting State Secrets in the Press officially censored media
until 2002. Since then, the government increasingly imposes self-censorship on online
media publishers, bloggers, and opposition leaders. 24 A recent example is the Mass
Media Law. 25 Discussions on texts of this law were closed to the public to minimize
media criticism against restrictive provisions. The law holds media owners, editors,
and staff members responsible for the objectivity of published materials. 26 Independent and foreign media, including online publishers, need to register with the Cabinet
of Ministers in Uzbekistan. In addition, the law forbids entities with 30 percent or
more foreign participation from establishing their own media outlets in the country.
Online versions of newspapers are within the scope of the law and as such are subject
to registration if their content differs from the printed publication. In order to gain
more control over the Internet, the government has stated that subsequent regulations
would specify the type of Web sites that would need to be registered. 27
Formal regulation of the Internet and electronic mass media commenced with the
adoption of Regulation No. 52 by the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan. 28 In particular, Regulation No. 52 established the National Network of Information Transmission
(UzPAK) and ensured its monopoly on international Internet connectivity for purposes
of preserving national information security. The government forced ISPs to route their
traffic through the state network to access international traffic. 29 Thus, Internet cafe ´s
and other clients were subjected to UzPAK’s filtering system, and a number of Web
sites were temporarily inaccessible. In July 2002, the Communications and Information Agency of Uzbekistan (UzCIA) suspended the work of EastLink, one of the major
Uzbekistan-based ISPs, because the ISP had connected to international networks
circumventing the national data-transmission network run by UzPAK. 30 Regulation
No. 352 31 attempted to abolish UzPAK’s monopoly on international connections and
foster a decentralization process in the field of Internet providers. However, more than
80 percent of the ISPs still run their connection through UzPAK despite the high tariffs.
Only a few ISPs have their own international satellite connections that provide better
service than UzPAK, for lower fees. 32 A growing trend among ISPs is using UzPAK’s
lines to send messages and satellite networks to view or download information. This
solution allows the providers to circumvent UzPAK’s monitoring network and channels’ low capacities.
UzPAK was established within the UzCIA. 33 Under Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 232 of 2002, UzCIA is responsible for providing information security and regulating providers’ activities in the area of communications, including the Internet. 34
The director general of the agency is also the deputy prime minister responsible for
Uzbekistan
269
Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, and Article 67 bans censorship. Freedom of information, however, can be legally restricted to protect the moral values of
society, national security, and Uzbekistan’s spiritual, cultural, and scientific potential.
The Central Inspection on Protecting State Secrets in the Press officially censored media
until 2002. Since then, the government increasingly imposes self-censorship on online
media publishers, bloggers, and opposition leaders. 24 A recent example is the Mass
Media Law. 25 Discussions on texts of this law were closed to the public to minimize
media criticism against restrictive provisions. The law holds media owners, editors,
and staff members responsible for the objectivity of published materials. 26 Independent and foreign media, including online publishers, need to register with the Cabinet
of Ministers in Uzbekistan. In addition, the law forbids entities with 30 percent or
more foreign participation from establishing their own media outlets in the country.
Online versions of newspapers are within the scope of the law and as such are subject
to registration if their content differs from the printed publication. In order to gain
more control over the Internet, the government has stated that subsequent regulations
would specify the type of Web sites that would need to be registered. 27
Formal regulation of the Internet and electronic mass media commenced with the
adoption of Regulation No. 52 by the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan. 28 In particular, Regulation No. 52 established the National Network of Information Transmission
(UzPAK) and ensured its monopoly on international Internet connectivity for purposes
of preserving national information security. The government forced ISPs to route their
traffic through the state network to access international traffic. 29 Thus, Internet cafe ´s
and other clients were subjected to UzPAK’s filtering system, and a number of Web
sites were temporarily inaccessible. In July 2002, the Communications and Information Agency of Uzbekistan (UzCIA) suspended the work of EastLink, one of the major
Uzbekistan-based ISPs, because the ISP had connected to international networks
circumventing the national data-transmission network run by UzPAK. 30 Regulation
No. 352 31 attempted to abolish UzPAK’s monopoly on international connections and
foster a decentralization process in the field of Internet providers. However, more than
80 percent of the ISPs still run their connection through UzPAK despite the high tariffs.
Only a few ISPs have their own international satellite connections that provide better
service than UzPAK, for lower fees. 32 A growing trend among ISPs is using UzPAK’s
lines to send messages and satellite networks to view or download information. This
solution allows the providers to circumvent UzPAK’s monitoring network and channels’ low capacities.
UzPAK was established within the UzCIA. 33 Under Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 232 of 2002, UzCIA is responsible for providing information security and regulating providers’ activities in the area of communications, including the Internet. 34
The director general of the agency is also the deputy prime minister responsible for
Uzbekistan
269