In an exclusive interview with www.bamdad.af, Waheedullah Tawhidi, the Director of Media Watch at the Nai Supporting Open Media Organization, explains the achievements and challenges faced by mass media over the past decade. He warns, however, that the future of mass media after 2014 does not look promising. Mass media outlets will not be able to broadcast if the international community decreases assistance to Afghanistan and if no action is taken to make Afghan media self-sufficient. Tawhidi also argues that much of Afghanistan’s mass media seek to embrace democratic principles and support freedom of speech. “But, they are occasionally facing some problems by domestic elements against freedom of speech,” he says.
In your opinion, how has mass media evolved over the past decade in Afghanistan?
Actually, mass media began its activities and broadcasting of information using modern technologies following the fall of the Taliban and the establishment of the Interim Administration in Afghanistan. In addition to broadcast media (such as TV and radio), Afghan citizens gained access to online and social media including Facebook and Twitter. They have been able to make personal weblogs and Websites. All these activities played an important role in transmitting and broadcasting information in the country.
Although a number of broadcast media outlets as well as print media were established over the past ten years in Afghanistan, they were unable to meet international standards and broadcast good quality programs. More work is needed to institutionalize freedom of speech in Afghanistan.
Although a number of broadcast media outlets as well as print media were established over the past ten years in Afghanistan, they were unable to meet international standards and broadcast good quality programs. More work is needed to institutionalize freedom of speech in Afghanistan.
Unfortunately, facilities for the establishment of mass media were misused by some individuals. Neither the public TV stations nor the private TV stations, which are established by individuals belonging to some political parties and ethnic groups, were able to broadcast useful and good quality programs for wider consumption. Some established mass media outlets are working against the democracy and freedom of speech and they are supported by the regional countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan.
There are other mass media outlets that only look after their commercial interests. They don’t work for freedom of speech, but their main goal is to earn money. Actually, this is a big threat to institutionalizing freedom of speech and formation of national and free mass media in the country.
Of course, there are some mass media actors that work for democracy and freedom of speech, but they are occasionally facing problems by domestic elements against freedom of speech because they have no affiliation to any regional countries.
Journalists often complain about challenges posed by the Taliban or lack of protection from the Afghan government. Are there statistics which show if cases of violence against journalists are increasing or decreasing in Afghanistan?
Unfortunately, the cases of violence against journalists increased in the year 1390 (2011-2012) in Afghanistan. Our statistics show that 85 cases of violence against reporters were recorded in the first 9 months of the year (1390) and this shows a 30 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Unfortunately, violence against journalists is ongoing in Afghanistan. This is deeply concerning and we are not optimistic to see a decrease in these incidences.
What are the main challenges faced by journalists in the country?
Afghan journalists are facing several problems, including insecurity, inattention of the government and financial constraints.
War and insecurity force journalists to work under difficult circumstances and the government does not support the journalists as needed. Additionally, financial constraints force many mass media outlets to link up with regional countries. Other mass media outlets who don’t want to affiliate have to stop their activities.
As a result of these problems, media organizations don’t receive enough money to continue their activities. This is the biggest problem which mostly print media face.
However, some people claim that electronic media has become self-sufficient and is able to solve financial problems through commercial advertisements. But, in my opinion, this concept [commercial advertising] has not yet been fully realized in Afghanistan. Mass media gains decent revenue from commercial ads in other countries. Also, mass media outlets with foreign financial affiliations have better access to facilities, while mass media without those affiliations do not.
Although the MML was approved in 2009, nothing has been done to ensure our national media is truly national. The government deprives the right of the public of having a national television station.
There have been various discussions and concerns about how mass media gets money and where that money comes from. Is there any mechanism to monitor mass media’s financial resources?
Actually, there is no mechanism to monitor mass media’s financial resources. The Afghan Constitution stipulates that mass media financial resources must be transparent, but the relevant entities such as the Ministry of Information and Culture (MoIC), the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and National Department of Security (NDS) have not yet adopted any strict measures in this regard.
Some members of the Afghan National Assembly and many political analysts criticize the state run radio and television stations for broadcasting low quality programs. They argue that these stations’ broadcasts only serve the interests of the presidential office. Is there any provision in the Mass Media Law (MML) to ensure that national media is independent?
Unfortunately, lack of rule of law is the main problem in the country. The MML is not enforced around the nature and administration of broadcasts on national television. According to the MML, national television must be governed by a commission and members of this commission should be professional and not affiliated to the government. National radio and television should reflect the voice of Afghan people, not the interests of government or a particular group.
National radio and television should reflect people’s interests. Unfortunately, this is not the case because MoIC does not implement this provision of the MML.
Although the MML was approved in 2009, nothing has been done to ensure our national media is truly national. The government deprives the right of the public of having a national television station.
Poor access to information is a big challenge for journalists in Afghanistan. The majority of governmental institutions are not ready to give information to journalists. What do the Afghan laws say?
Indeed, lack of access to information is another critical problem that journalists are faced with. The Afghan government is not ready to provide journalists with necessary information. The Afghan Constitution and the MML explain that any Afghan citizen has the right to access information.
Financial constraints force many mass media outlets to link up with regional countries. Other mass media outlets who don’t want to affiliate have to stop their activities.
In my opinion, apart from the MML, we should have specific laws for access to information, reserved copyrights, and media-related offenses and violations.
Fortunately, some Afghan civil society, human rights and media organizations developed a draft for an access to information law and so did the MoIC. Both sides consolidated these drafts and sent a final draft to the Ministry of Justice for review. It will then be sent to the Council of Ministers for approval.
What do you foresee as the prospects for media in Afghanistan after 2014?
In my opinion, mass media’s problems will continue to increase until 2014. It is clear that mass media will not be able to broadcast if the international community decreases assistance to Afghanistan and if no action is taken to make Afghan mass media self-sufficient. This is very concerning and most media will stop working if not supported.
