Building Capacity for Afghan Media

Mahtab Farid, State Department Public Diplomacy Officer in Afghanistan

State Department hosted a media conference with the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) in Bagram to build capacity for the journalists in Eastern Afghanistan. Every year, many journalism conferences are hosted in Afghanistan but in most cases the events are either held in Kabul or are Kabul concentrated. Meaning it is for the members of press and the executives in Kabul.  Local reporters in Eastern Afghanistan hardly get a chance to get out of their districts due to security situation or financial reasons.




In this conference, there were 60 reporters from various provinces in Eastern Afghanistan. Local reporters had a chance to meet Mobarez Rashedi, Deputy Ministry of Information and Culture, Media Executives, and fellow reporters from other provinces.



Mr. Rashedi on the left and Mr. Mortazavi on the right

According to Rashedi, top challenge for reporters in Afghanistan is security and getting the accurate information. He said, many reporters in Afghanistan face security challenges either by local government or the enemies of Afghanistan. He told reporters when local officials threaten reporters for doing their job, they can contact the ministry for help. However, he said, "I could only defend you for your journalistic actions."

Lack of Internet connection or slow Internet connection according to Rashedi is also another challenge for reporters in Afghanistan to do their jobs or to meet their deadlines.

This interactive conference was an eye opener for all sides. Hossein Mortazavi, the editor of most popular daily paper in Afghanistan, “Hashte Sobh” said, “14 years ago not even one newspaper was published in Afghanistan except the weekly paper that was published in Pakistan and brought to Afghanistan. Yet today there are over 100 radio stations in Afghanistan, over 10 television stations, 6 major news agencies, and hundreds of print publications.” Mortazavi added, “Today all the voices in Afghanistan are heard and nobody can hide anything anymore.”