The synergy between MPs and mass media is vital since mass media is often represented at parliament meetings, gatherings of its committees, party factions and meeting of MPs with electorate.

More than 40 MPs, more than 30 mass media representatives such as “Narodnoe slovo”, “XXI ASR”, “Milliy tiklanish”, “Adolat”, “Uzbekiston ovozi”, “HUQUQ”, “Habar”, “Qishloq Hayoti”, “Hurriyat”, “Ma'rifat”, “Ishonch”, etc. and also officials of relevant government authorities participated in the training, even though more people wished take part in the current training.

To facilitate the training UNDP tapped into local knowledge and invited specialists in journalism from the National University of Uzbekistan and the Uzbek state university of world languages.

During the training MPs and journalists worked in close rapport and discussed the best ways to do interviews, prepare press releases, press conferences and briefings. “Being in front of the TV camera, working with the media and being adept at dealing with difficult questions and persistent interviewers are what MPs must master” – said O. Usarov, Head of Press service of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis.

According to the overall opinion of participants, the current training was very fruitful and helped every participant to get a better understanding of why MPs need mass media and to learn new forms and methods of interaction.

Handouts with tips on how to work with mass media and step-by-step instructions for journalists accredited in the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan with a list of legislative acts regulating the activity of parliamentary journalism were distributed to all the participants.

The impact of the training will increase the cooperation, efficiency and exchange of information between MPs and mass media. Summing up the training results participants expressed their interest in organizing similar events that would improve relations between MPs and mass media and thanked organizers for the work done.

UNDP “Parliamentary Development Assistance” project provides technical support in strengthening informational and institutional base of informational analytical activities of both Chambers of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and works to:

a) strengthen and develop the potential of the Parliament, as well as the Secretariats of both Chambers of Oliy Majlis;

b) assist in enhancing oversight and analytical activities of the Parliament;

c) strengthen the representative function of the Parliament through support in enhancing the organization of activities of MPs and methods of their work with electorate;

d) improve efficiency of work of Secretariats of both Chambers and informational and technical support to parliamentary activities.