Uzbekistan ranked 147th out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders, rising by one position compared to 2025. The state of press freedom in the country is described as “very serious.”
The country’s overall score slightly declined — to 34.95 compared to 35.24 a year earlier, indicating that the minor improvement in ranking does not reflect real progress in press freedom conditions.
Minimal change in ranking and mixed dynamics of indicators
According to the index, Uzbekistan’s positions across key indicators remain low:
- Political indicator: 152 (25.13)
- Economic indicator: 136 (34.05)
- Legal indicator: 138 (39.83)
- Social indicator: 159 (31.55)
- Security indicator: 136 (44.17)
Compared to 2025, the economic and security indicators improved slightly, while the political, legal, and social indicators deteriorated. The decline in the overall score points more to stagnation than progress.
“Circumstances have only barely improved”
The report states that “following the 2016 death of President Islam Karimov, circumstances have only barely improved for the media, and criticising those in power remains very complicated.”
State dominance and limited number of independent media
The report describes Uzbekistan’s media environment as tightly controlled:
- There are no private television networks in the country.
- State radio “transmits official propaganda.”
- Private radio stations avoid criticism “for fear of being shut down.”
- The written press “serves state interests.”
Fewer than 15 online media outlets, some operating from abroad, produce quality content. Among them is Ozodlik Radiosi, the Uzbek and Russian services of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which are blocked in the country.
Strict political control and ban on opposition
Authorities maintain “a great deal of control over the media” and rely on a large group of bloggers closely linked to the state, the report says.
It also notes that “real opposition” is banned — including groups associated with extremist ideology as well as a partly exiled nationalist movement.
Ongoing legal pressure and self-censorship
Despite announced reforms, authorities “have yet to implement the reforms needed to end repressive media laws.”
“Censorship, surveillance and self-censorship are prevalent,” the report states.
Some local online publications avoid official registration to preserve their independence, while risking criminal prosecution and fines.
Economic pressure and funding restrictions
The report emphasizes that authorities “don’t hesitate to exert economic pressure or attempt to corrupt journalists.”
Restrictions on foreign funding hinder the development of independent media. It is also noted that reduction in funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) “has also had a very negative impact,” further weakening independent media.
Growth of social media amid restrictions on traditional media
More than half of Uzbekistan’s population is under 30. Expanded internet access has led to the growth of social networks, including Odnoklassniki, Facebook, TikTok, Telegram, and YouTube.
Some users use these platforms to spread information about corruption — “an issue that the official media barely cover,” the report says.
Ongoing risks for journalists and bloggers
Although previously imprisoned journalists have been released, they have not been rehabilitated, the report notes.
It also mentions continued pressure on bloggers, including the case of Otabek Sattoriy, who was sentenced in 2021 to six and a half years in prison on charges described in the report as “trumped up” (Sattoriy was released in 2024 — Yep.uz).
Journalists covering sensitive topics have faced attacks and criminal prosecution, highlighting the “government’s determination to silence all dissent voices.”
Detentions and safety concerns
According to monitoring data, at the time of the report’s publication, five journalists are being held in custody in Uzbekistan. The organization notes that these figures may change over time.
Countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index
Top and bottom countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index
Norway remains the leader of the ranking, taking 1st place out of 180 countries with a global score of 92.72. Eritrea ranks last — 180th place with a score of 10.24.
Top five countries
- Norway — 92.72
- Netherlands — 88.92
- Estonia — 88.54
- Denmark — 88.47
- Sweden — 87.61
Bottom five countries
- Saudi Arabia — 19.11
- Iran — 17.45
- China — 13.85
- North Korea — 12.67
- Eritrea — 10.24
Post-Soviet countries in the ranking
Across the post-Soviet space, positions in the index remain highly uneven: the Baltic states maintain high scores and rank in the upper part of the list, while Central Asian countries and some Eastern European states continue to occupy the lower half. The gap between Estonia (3rd place) and Turkmenistan (173rd place) remains one of the largest in the region. Russia ranks 172nd, placing it among the ten countries with the lowest levels of press freedom.
- Estonia — 3rd place (88.54)
- Lithuania — 15th place (81.34)
- Latvia — 17th place (81.00)
- Moldova — 31st place (74.77)
- Armenia — 50th place (67.02)
- Ukraine — 55th place (66.10)
- Georgia — 135th place (40.77)
- Kyrgyzstan — 146th place (35.06)
- Uzbekistan — 147th place (34.95)
- Kazakhstan — 149th place (34.41)
- Tajikistan — 155th place (32.22)
- Belarus — 165th place (27.72)
- Azerbaijan — 171st place (23.95)
- Russia — 172nd place (23.15)
- Turkmenistan — 173rd place (23.06)