Telegram overtakes TV as news source in Uzbekistan, 2026 survey finds

Telegram channels were cited as a news source by 51.6% of respondents, television by 44.6%, and social networks by 41.6%. Trust was distributed differently: television ranked first (44.3%), followed by the official websites of government agencies (17.3%), Telegram channels (11.3%), and news websites (7.4%). Among 18–24-year-olds, 66.2% get their news on Telegram and 54.4% on social media, while television ranks first among those over 55 at 77.4%.

Among survey participants, 86.1% use Telegram and 64.8% use social networks; among social media users, 92.7% use Instagram. O‘zbekiston 24 is considered the most reliable TV channel by 52.8% of viewers, while Milliy TV leads in popularity (44.5%). Radio is listened to by 21.9% of respondents.

Respondents identified fake news as the primary threat to the media sphere (46.6%), most frequently encountering it on YouTube, Telegram, and social networks. Stricter liability for media outlets spreading unreliable information was supported by 77.4%. A lack of information about prices, incomes, employment, and social support was noted by 41.3%, while 40.6% highlighted a lack of coverage on everyday issues faced by ordinary people. The level of freedom of speech was rated as high by 49.7%.

In-person face-to-face interviews at respondents' places of residence were conducted from September 8 to September 19, 2026, involving 1,411 people over the age of 18 from all 14 regions. The study was carried out by the Mass Media Foundation, the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, and the Media Content Preparation Centre under the Presidential Administration, with the field stage performed by the Ijtimoiy Fikr centre.