National Journalists’ Day: Support for Freedom of Expression and Media Activities

By: H.N Journalists are regarded as a fundamental pillar of media and freedom of expression in every society. In Afghanistan, the contribution of journalists holds substantial value in informing the public, enhancing awareness, and reflecting the social, political, and economic realities of the nation. To honor their relentless efforts, 27th of Hoot (Solar year) has […]

By: H.N

Journalists are regarded as a fundamental pillar of media and freedom of expression in every society. In Afghanistan, the contribution of journalists holds substantial value in informing the public, enhancing awareness, and reflecting the social, political, and economic realities of the nation. To honor their relentless efforts, 27th of Hoot (Solar year) has been designated as National Journalists’ Day.

National Journalists’ Day serves not only as a significant occasion to acknowledge the hard work of journalists but also as an opportunity to assess the challenges they face and explore potential solutions. In recent years, Afghan journalists have made considerable efforts to disseminate factual information, highlight advancements, address challenges, and uncover opportunities, ensuring that the public remains informed about the true state of affairs within their society.

Over the past three years, Afghan journalists have played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion, combating corruption, driving governance reforms, and bridging the gap between the government and the people. Through their unwavering commitment, they have enabled the government to address existing gaps and establish an accountable system.

According to the Afghan Independent Journalists’ Association (AIJA), there are currently 84 television networks, 274 radio stations, 57 news agencies, and 52 print publications operating across the country, collectively forming a total of 267 media outlets. Among these, 12 media outlets, both in the capital and provinces, are dedicated exclusively to content focused on women. Furthermore, the association reports that there are currently 4,001 male and 747 female media employees, totaling 4,748 individuals employed in the media sector nationwide.

In addition, as per the association’s data, several new media outlets were launched in 2024, including Ehsas Radio in Kandahar, Narenj Radio in Nangarhar, Angiza Radio in Khost, Sarobi Radio in Kabul, Staa Radio in Helmand, Nuristan Radio in Nuristan, Afaaq News Agency in Kabul, and Ittihad Navin Radio in Nangarhar.

The association’s assessment indicates that the quality of media content has improved compared to the previous year, with significant growth in the educational and training aspects. This progress is indicative of the direction provided by the media community, the illumination of public understanding, and the collaborative efforts of both the government and the media.

Upon assuming power, the Islamic Emirate, in recognition of its institutional responsibilities and social mission, sought to establish pathways for coordination and cooperation with the media across various domains. In addition, through numerous meetings with media officials, it has provided assurances for continued media activities within the framework of Islamic principles.

In the past three years, significant strides have been made to facilitate journalists’ access to accurate information, with spokespersons being appointed across all government entities.

Moreover, regular training workshops have been organized for these spokespersons, aimed at enhancing the level of interaction and cooperation between government institutions and the media. These measures not only help organize the media and public relations of governmental bodies in a systematic and professional manner but also raise public awareness regarding the key functions and achievements of each institution.

As an important priority, several relevant institutions have worked toward strengthening, accelerating, and enhancing the effectiveness of the information dissemination process. To this end, over the last three years, a range of press conferences, exclusive interviews, news clips, and broadcast materials have been produced and shared with the media, alongside coordination meetings with journalists and media executives across the country. This initiative remains ongoing.

The Islamic Emirate has consistently supported freedom of expression and media activities within the framework of Islamic principles, striving to establish an environment for extensive interaction and cooperation with the media, while ensuring that journalists have access to accurate and reliable information.

In this regard, the Ministry of Information and Culture, the Spokesperson’s Office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the Government Media and Information Center, and various other government institutions have made continuous efforts throughout 2024, organizing and launching numerous programs aimed at fulfilling these objectives.