Abdulaziz Abdulhakov, who has not even been a month since his appointment as the hokim of Yashnabad district, attempted to exert pressure on Davron Kholboyev, a reporter of EFFECT.UZ who went to cover the citizens' reception.
The incident took place on November 6 during an out-of-town reception organized for citizens in the Tarnovboshi neighborhood.
During the reception, the hokim asked the journalist to leave the room. During the conversation, Abdulhakov said:
“If he doesn't leave, I will sit here, and you will sit here too. I don't need EFFECT.UZ (mass media). If you don't leave, don't leave. Don't frighten me with your phone, I was born after fear, understand?” — he said and struck the table with his hand.
After the incident, the parties discussed the situation. The hokim stated that a misunderstanding had arisen and asked the EFFECT.UZ employee to understand the situation correctly.
After that, the citizens' reception was continued, and the creative team of EFFECT.UZ was given the opportunity to cover the process.
Participation of mass media in citizens' receptions
Article 5 of the Law “On the Protection of Journalistic Activity” defines the rights of a journalist in carrying out professional activities to participate in open collegial meetings and public events of state bodies, gather information, and, when necessary, record it through technical means.
Also, a journalist has the right to be at the reception of an official and obtain information regarding their professional activities.
From this point of view, any restriction or requirement related to the participation of a mass media representative who came to cover an openly held citizens' reception must be evaluated within the framework of the procedures and grounds established by legislation.
Hokimlik: “Caused a misunderstanding”
The Yashnabad district hokimlik responded to this situation and gave a different explanation of the event.
According to the hokimlik's information, the EFFECT.UZ journalist entered the room behind the applicant without knocking on the door, and without notifying in advance that he was accompanying the applicant and representing their interests (such an event did not occur, unsubstantiated statement). According to the hokimlik, this very situation caused the misunderstanding related to the journalist's participation in the reception.
It is noted that later the parties discussed the situation and reached a mutual understanding. The issue raised in the citizen's appeal was resolved.
It is also reported that the journalist conversed with the district hokim and even conducted an interview, and the meeting ended in a constructive spirit. The Yashnabad district hokimlik stated that it is open to cooperation with the mass media and ready for constructive dialogue.
The hokimlik noted mutual respect, compliance with the procedure of citizens' receptions, and complete and impartial coverage of events as important foundations of such cooperation.
At the same time, the hokimlik emphasized that it is important to convey to the public not only the misunderstanding itself, but also the outcome of the meeting: the citizen's appeal was resolved, and the dialogue with EFFECT.UZ employees was continued.
For information: Abdulaziz Abdulhakov was appointed to the post of Yashnabad district hokim on October 15. Prior to this, he worked as the director of the social facility construction department of UET Construction LLC in Tashkent.
