Court staff trained in media and public engagement

June 9, 2021

Image: UNDP Uzbekistan

13 June, TASHKENT - Over 10-12 June a training on ‘Strengthening public engagement capacities of court press services at regional and central levels’ was held at the Layner resort complex outside Tashkent, led by the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan and attended by 20 public relations (PR) officers from regional courts. This three-day event was co-hosted by UNDP and USAID, within the framework of the ‘Rule of Law Partnership in Uzbekistan’ project.

Improving public trust and confidence in Uzbekistan’s courts by making them more transparent and open to both the public and journalists has been a primary focus of the Rule of Law project. As such in 2019 the project commissioned a research report on global experience in building court-journalist relations, the findings of which were reflected in the presidential decree ‘On additional measures to further improve the activities of the courts and increase the efficiency of justice’ as adopted on 24 July 2020.

Accordingly the Supreme Court’s Public Relations and Mass Media Department was expanded, and from the beginning of 2021 PR officer positions were established at regional courts nationwide. Strengthening the ability of the justice system’s PR staff to effectively engage with journalists and build a positive image of courts among the public has been a key focus of the project’s work.

The focus of this past week’s three-day training event was to strengthen the ability of PR staff to share information effectively and engage well with journalists and the public in different circumstances. It sought to improve participants’ abilities to produce written informational materials on court activities, while broadening their knowledge of the Uzbekistan justice system’s approach to public relations and encouraging them to learn from best international practices.

Most importantly the training suggested means PR staff can use to provide constructive feedback on content published by journalists and vocal members of the public, both on official and unofficial platforms, especially when this content may be critical. These skills will prove essential as Uzbekistan’s profession of court journalism continues to expand, and as journalists are further empowered to report on court activities.

“As Uzbekistan’s courts continue to open up and come under the attention and sometimes criticism of both journalists and the public, it is critical that our PR staff learn to best facilitate the media’s work in covering court activities. Meanwhile they should also understand their responsibilities for ensuring the good reputation and impartiality of judges and courtrooms, and protecting citizens’ rights to fair trials,” said Supreme Court Press Secretary and Advisor on Information Policy Aziz Abidov.

“Events like this week’s training, along with planned future roundtables between journalists, judges and court PR staff, will help build the professional relationships that will keep Uzbekistan’s justice system both respected by and accountable to the public.”

Throughout the four-day training a range of practical skills were taught to participants via interactive presentations and lectures, including:

  • Formulating content and communications strategies for engaging with both the public and journalists;
  • Preparing and writing a range of PR materials, including press releases, fact lists, longer articles and newsletters;
  • Organizing and hosting press events, including press conferences;
  • Communicating with journalists in an appropriate way, including responding to investigative questioning and dealing with instances of “sensational” journalism;
  • Maintaining and updating court websites and social media accounts, including disseminating print and multimedia materials;
  • Anti-crisis communication, and managing press coverage of high-profile court cases in an appropriate and ethical way.

Following this comprehensive event, it is expected that the participants will share the skills they have learnt with their colleagues. The long-term outcome will be improved quality and quantity of the discussions of each regional court’s activities on mainstream media platforms, independent blogs, and most importantly within the public discourse.

In its final year of implementation the ‘Rule of Law Partnership in Uzbekistan’ project will work to consolidate major achievements made throughout past years, particularly in strengthening access to justice for women and vulnerable members of society, and enhancing public trust and confidence in national courts. In partnership with the Supreme Court and other national partners, foundations are being laid to ensure this project’s results are sustained after its completion.