On August 23 at the press-conference, held in the Tashkent office of Ezgulik human rights center in Uzbekistan, the employees of Yoshlar (Youth) TV channel of National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan Malokhat Eshonkulova and Saodat Omonova shared about "censorship and localism at the state television and embezzlement among the management team". The press-conference was attended by human rights activists, representatives of independent media, diplomats from USA, France and Germany.

Observer Saodat Omonova and correspondent Malokhat Eshonkulova said that "any produced video may cover both positive and negative sides; however, as a rule, all critical comments are cut off. The corrections can be made by any state structures: from presidential office to Security Council, representatives of banks, tax and customs authorities".

"In the last 2-3 years in the official news programs we have to read the text of Akhborot (News) program of Uzbekistan TV channel and duplicate the coverage of "presidential" and other official events – Omonova continues. – I do not want to read someone’s text since I have my own opinion on the current events. In 1998 I was the personal correspondent of Davr and we had very critical stories".

The journalists affirm that "most of state funds, allocated for the development of television, are embezzled by management while they buy cheap and low quality equipment". The substantial part of ad revenues does not go to state budget either.

Saodat Omonova and Malokhat Eshonkulova (on the left) at the press-conference in the Ezgulik human rights center

Saodat came from Samarqand to Tashkent in 2001 and got employed in the state television company. According to her, "the employees from Tashkent originally have higher salaries than those coming from the regions". As a journalist with higher education and extensive work experience Saodat gets paid 500 thousand sum (about $230) while the fresh graduate of secondary school, as an administrator, may get million or more sum.

In the opinion of Ms Omonova, this way Khairulla Nuritdinov, the director of Yoshlar TV, "supported" by head of NTRC Alisher Khodzhaev, launders money.

"Mr. Nuritdinov has the privileged well-paid group of employees. Other staff members work overtime but get paid much less", says Omonova.

"My colleague Malokhat Eshonkulova started fighting corruption and embezzlement in December of the last year – Ms. Omonova continues. – She addressed law enforcement bodies and other top agencies. In response our administration put high pressure on Eshonkulova".

According to Ms Omonova, over 40 employees were interrogated on cases, described by Malokhat Eshonkulova. As a result, the prosecutor’s office reported 47 million sum that were illegally paid to some employees of the television.

"Today, there are many discontent people at the television. I believe my statements are the right move. I know I will lose my job but I am ready to go on end in order to finally inform the president about these things", Ms. Omonova concluded.

Despite civilized legislation of Uzbekistan there are many facts of censorship, filtering websites, filing records on independent journalists, fabrication of charges against undesired journalists, criticizing the government.

According to Freedom of speech index, annually reported by Reporters without Borders, Uzbekistan’s rank is one of the last in the world. It is still "black zone" for press. Journalist profession is accompanied with high risks in Uzbekistan.