Afghan Journalists Celebrate World Press Freedom Day in Kabul
10-05-2005 (Paris)
On May 3rd, about one hundred Afghan journalists from both print and electronic media gathered in Sitara Hotel in Kabul to celebrate the World Press Freedom Day with a seminar on media and good governance funded and organized by UNESCO in cooperation with Afghan Journalists’ Union, Tolo TV, Sayara NGO, and the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Fasel Suncharaki, deputy minister of Information affairs, welcomed the participants saying that the government will keep on working to ensure a safe and free environment for the press. Jawid Lodeen, spokesman of the President, stressed how in the last three years there has been a proliferation of independent media.
Malama Meleisa, Director of UNESCO Kabul Office, addressed remarks on how the press can promote transparency by providing information to the public. He also mentioned the vital role media plays in exposing mismanagement practices in both public and private institutions. A translation into Dari of the message on press freedom’s role for good governance by Koichiro Matsura, UNESCO Director-General, was circulated among participants.
Shafika Habibi, director of the Journalist Women Center of the Afghan Journalists’ Union, underlined how the women are now more active in Afghan media, but she said she would like to see more support from donors and the government to reporting by and about women.
Shukria Barekzai, chief-editor of the Women Mirror Weekly, raised the issue of self-censorship among Afghan media professionals.
The crucial role of journalists and free, nonbiased, and impartial press for the upcoming parliamentary election was the main focus of the remarks by Ariane Quentier, UNAMA’s spokesperson. She also stressed how the media are an educative tool and they play an essential role in sustaining the political process for instance as a watchdog of leaders’ accountability, mobilizing political wills, and denouncing abuses.
The Center for International Journalism (CIJ), an Afghan organization training journalists, presented the Annual Report of the Committee to Protect Journalism which concluded that: «Afghan journalist are still harassed, threatened and physically attacked». In 2004, in at least six cases - according to the Report- journalists were physically attacked while performing their job
During the discussion, more than 20 journalists took the floor. Suleman Ashna, reporter of Tolo TV, the first private channel in Kabul soon to broadcast via satellite in Central Asia Region, expressed concern about the low professional level of many Afghan journalists and he stressed the need to improve faculties of journalism training level.
Coverage has been given to the event by local media outlets including Tolo TV, Radio Television of Afghanistan, Hazadi Radio, and Kabul Weekly.
Malama Meleisa, Director of UNESCO Kabul Office, addressed remarks on how the press can promote transparency by providing information to the public. He also mentioned the vital role media plays in exposing mismanagement practices in both public and private institutions. A translation into Dari of the message on press freedom’s role for good governance by Koichiro Matsura, UNESCO Director-General, was circulated among participants.
Shafika Habibi, director of the Journalist Women Center of the Afghan Journalists’ Union, underlined how the women are now more active in Afghan media, but she said she would like to see more support from donors and the government to reporting by and about women.
Shukria Barekzai, chief-editor of the Women Mirror Weekly, raised the issue of self-censorship among Afghan media professionals.
The crucial role of journalists and free, nonbiased, and impartial press for the upcoming parliamentary election was the main focus of the remarks by Ariane Quentier, UNAMA’s spokesperson. She also stressed how the media are an educative tool and they play an essential role in sustaining the political process for instance as a watchdog of leaders’ accountability, mobilizing political wills, and denouncing abuses.
The Center for International Journalism (CIJ), an Afghan organization training journalists, presented the Annual Report of the Committee to Protect Journalism which concluded that: «Afghan journalist are still harassed, threatened and physically attacked». In 2004, in at least six cases - according to the Report- journalists were physically attacked while performing their job
During the discussion, more than 20 journalists took the floor. Suleman Ashna, reporter of Tolo TV, the first private channel in Kabul soon to broadcast via satellite in Central Asia Region, expressed concern about the low professional level of many Afghan journalists and he stressed the need to improve faculties of journalism training level.
Coverage has been given to the event by local media outlets including Tolo TV, Radio Television of Afghanistan, Hazadi Radio, and Kabul Weekly.
Pays/thèmes connexes
· Afghanistan
· Journée mondiale de la liberté de la presse 2005
· Spéciale Une sur l’Afghanistan
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