Recently, it was reported that the Agency for Information and Mass Communications has sent warning letters to a number of independent news media websites for publishing articles on controversial topics.

U.S. Ambassador Daniel Rosenblum described AIMC’s actions as pressure.

“Disappointed by recent actions taken by Agency for Information and Mass Communications to pressure independent media outlets. To succeed, Uzbekistan’s ambitious reforms require a free & open press.  AIMC pressure not consistent with this,” the US Ambassador said on Twitter.

Helena Fraser, the UN Resident Coordinator in Uzbekistan, said the government had promised reforms and that a free press is important in implementing these reforms.

“As President Mirziyoyev has said media freedom is vital for achieving sustainable development & realizing the government’s ambitious reform agenda,” Helena Fraser writes.

The head of the British Embassy, Tim Torlot, noted that the AIMC’s policy has changed recently.

“I am surprised and sad to see how AIMC's approach to supporting the development of mass media seems to have changed recently. A democratic society cannot be built without a robust, free media,” Tim Torlot said.

Also, Ambassador of Germany, Günter Overfeld, said that if the criticism of the gas issue has a basis, then the media has the right to cover this issue in their writings.

"I was surprised by the AIMC’s criticism of kun.uz, gazeta.uz and other media. If there is a justified dissatisfaction among the public about the poor performance of gas and electricity supply services, the press also has the right to cover this issue. This cannot serve as a reason to criticize the media by the state agency. The press is only doing its job,” Günter Overfeld stressed.