Uzbekistan is moving to restrict certain media content by proposing a new Information Code that targets pornographic messaging and content seen as promoting same-sex relations. The initiative, reported by Sputnik Uzbekistan, signals a broader effort to shape the information environment within the country by setting clear boundaries on what can be presented to the public.
The draft law aims to curb material that portrays or advocates what the authors describe as unnatural relationships, alongside other types of content considered harmful or disruptive. The scope of the Information Code extends beyond sexual content, encompassing measures to bar information that could threaten national stability, reveal state secrets, or undermine the constitutional order and territorial integrity of the state. It also places prohibitions on war, violence, and terrorist propaganda, as well as narcotics-related messaging.
According to reports, the proposed Information Code has already attracted the attention of a wide administrative network, with 50 ministries and departments endorsing the draft. The discussion phase is planned to run through late December, inviting feedback and potentially shaping the final version before any formal adoption.
Observers note that the drive to regulate information reflects ongoing state priorities around social norms, public morality, and national security in a rapidly changing media landscape. The proposal is part of a broader conversation about how information flows are governed in Uzbekistan and how such rules align with international norms and domestic policy goals. In discussing the draft, commentators emphasize the balance authorities seek between safeguarding public order and ensuring that legitimate voices and perspectives can still reach audiences, within clearly defined boundaries.
As the process moves forward, the public discourse is likely to address the practical implications for media outlets, online platforms, and journalists. Stakeholders may examine how enforcement will be implemented, what penalties will apply for violations, and how the code will interact with existing legal frameworks. The evolving narrative also underscores the role of information policy in shaping societal values while navigating the complexities of modern communications technologies and global information flows. Marked references to the draft provide context for readers tracing the developments within Uzbekistan’s information governance strategy.