Afghan Journalists Review Afghan Media Scene

“Pressure on journalists continues to grow,” begins the analysis from Internews Afghan national team. They cite “greater pressure and restrictions on the media” from deteriorating security in Kabul and more attacks by the Taliban.

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Media is increasingly under suspicion from national security forces, says the report. It cites the arrest of three journalists after the downing of the US military helicopter in July by the Taliban. Two were reporting for Radio Azadi (Radio Free Europe/RFE), the other a photographer for the Associated Press. The journalists were held for several days, even moved to Kabul, before being released. Security forces apparently believed the three were in possession of a Taliban video tape recording the downing.

“Many reporters have experienced that in remote areas the securities agencies do not know their own roles, responsibilities and authority,” the report explains. “However even employees of the Presidential office of administrative affairs seem unaware of the rights of media.”

The reporters involved refused to speak with Media Watch for fear of further harassment. The local governor said the security forces were sent from Kabul, the capital, implying the involvement of top level government. The report details other cases where media workers have been beaten or “manhandled” by security forces.

On Friday (October 27) the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan issued a press statement condemning the sentencing of an Afghan journalist to a two year prison term for publishing an article “offensive to Islam.” The Media Monitoring Commission, also known as Media Watch, had earlier found that Ali Mohaqiq Nasab had not committed blasphemy and recommended his release. Mr. Nasab, publisher of a women's magazine, was sentenced October 22. Prosecutors had asked for the death penalty.

As television becomes more a factor in everyday Afghani life and more channels on offer, the report claims various factions, including remnants of the Taliban, target privately operated channels and their employees. Many of these channels continue to operate through international support. The most dramatic episode was the murder in May of Toto TV presenter Shaima Rezai, a female presenter of a music program called “Hop.” After an investigation the murderer was identified, but not apprehended. Music programs on Tolo TV featured female presenters and dancing, facing criticism from still powerful conservative elements. The self-

censorship that followed Shaima Rezai’s murder caused the channel to drop the dancing and women as show hosts.

Bright spots in the report point to regulatory frameworks set in place, though questions remain about enforcement.

Internews is but one of several media development organizations active in Afghanistan. Concentrating on local media, mostly radio, it has trained over 700 Afghanis in three years. Journalists are the largest group, but also managers and producers, both men and women. Internews has also facilitated capacity building and support for the Afghanistan Ministry of Communications.

A 2004 article in the Independent (UK) described US-based Internews as “inextricably bound up with the looser aims of US foreign policy” but “free of the more sinister aspects of the neo-cons’ activities abroad.”

A separate report on Afghan media issued earlier in the year by Altai Consulting drew attention to radio as the leading medium with television quickly expanding. Foreign stations with Afghani productions include the BBC, Radio Azadi/RFE, and the Voice of America. Radio Afghanistan offers programs on medium wave and FM. Commercial FM stations have developed in the major cities. Quite popular, according to the report, are the several local, community stations supported by Internews and other agencies. And, the report pointed out that cross border broadcasts from Radio Iran, Iran’s Dari-language channel Radio Mashhad, Radio Pakistan and Radio Tajikistan have an impact.

But the road ahead for Afghan media is destined to be long and hard, with self-censorship and a growing concern about the accountability of “local and foreign actors,” said the Altai Consulting report.

“Journalists, managers and media development specialists will have to use innovative approaches to meet changing and maturing demands while respecting the traditional roots of society. This will be one of the major challenges in the next three years.”

Afghan Journalists Review Afghan Media Scene

Outsiders looking at Afghanistan’s post-Taliban media scene report gains, strides, progress, improvement. Afghan journalists do not suffer the grammatical. It’s grim.