Afghan Media (2002)

Afghan media

Synopsis:

Freedom of the press did not exist during the Taliban years, but now, with coalition aid rebuilding transmitters, refurnishing printing presses, and training local reporters in journalistic skills, media play an important role in Afghanistans democracy. A growing independent newspaper business, magazines, radio and television are reaching people beyond Kabul, and have even begun to deliver news to Afghanistans international community in English. Journalists are anxious to share the news that change has come to the worlds newest democracy.

Trt: 3:10

Channel 1 mixed audio

Channel 2 nat sound

Titles:

Mohammed Fahim Dashty, Editor, Kabul Weekly

Hashmatullah Atah, Chief Engineer, Radio Afghanistan

Script:

Narrator:

The Kabul weekly is back in business with the latest news on life in Afghanistan. It is part of an independent newspaper boom, trying out the new freedom of the press that has become the law of the land.

The French organization Aina has provided a home for the Kabul weekly and several new publications. Coalition aid is training local reporters in journalistic and technical skills. American aid is refurbishing Kabuls printing press.

The newspapers and magazines are trying to reach people beyond Kabul, and not just Afghanis.

Soundbite: (in Dari) Mohammed Fahim Dashty, Editor, Kabul Weekly

"The majority of publications in Kabul are in Dari and Pashto. This is natural and normal, these are the official languages. Why did we want an international language? For the foreigners in Afghanistan working for the embassies and NGOs and so on. In order to deliver the message of Afghanistan to them too, we decided to add an English edition."

Narration:

This is Afghanistans new magazine for and by women. Its declared mission is to "put an end to the restrictions suffered by women and to familiarize them with the world."

The Kabul Weekly was a popular and respected paper before it was shut down for the past 7 years. Its new editor says that freedom of the press includes the right to criticize.

Soundbite: (in Dari) Mohammed Fahim Dashty, Editor, Kabul Weekly

"Afghanistan is supposed to become a democratic society. There can be no advancement of democracy without freedom of the press."

Narrator:

Expanding literacy in Afghanistan will boost circulation for the new publications and help spread important information.

Radio is still the medium with the widest reach in Afghanistan. Most of $1.5 million in U.S. aid to the media is supporting radio broadcasting.

Government-owned Radio Afghanistan began broadcasting nationwide in early June with American technical and financial support.

A newly installed satellite system sends the signal to shortwave transmitters for broadcast. Radio Afghanistans reach goes beyond the countrys borders.

Soundbite: (in English) Hashmatullah Atah, Chief Engineer, Radio Afghanistan

"At the moment we have for Radio Afghanistan the facilities to broadcast to the world and also nationwide in Afghanistan."

Narrator:

The U.S. has also provided the station with a new FM transmitter. Programs in Dari and Pashto provide national and international news as well as other local information. There is change coming to Afghanistan, and the media want to tell people all about it.

This item is part of the collection: Open Source Movies

Audio/Visual: sound, color
Keywords: Afghanistan; media

Creative Commons license: Public Domain

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Reviewer: cashel - - July 9, 2004
Subject: brave journalists

This is fine USA government film and at 3 minutes , it is unable to fully deal with the important issues. How will these journalists face bribary and intimidation?. If they speak against the opium trade they will receive death threats.