Internews radio station torched in Afghanistan

By Chris Durant, The Times-Standard

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

A radio station built by Arcata-based Internews Network in Logar, Afghanistan, was deliberately burned down over the weekend, but plans are already being made to rebuild.

Annette Makino, senior vice president for communications and corporate affairs for Internews Network, said no one was seriously hurt in the fire that destroyed everything except a generator and a satellite dish.

The station was one of 32 stations Internews established in the country since the fall of the Taliban.

”We have also provided equipment and training to local journalists; produced independent radio content with local journalists; and established a satellite distribution system for radio programming that reaches a majority of the population,” Makino wrote in an e-mail.

In the days before the arson, a “night letter,” or leaflet, was being passed throughout Logar condemning the music the station played and "decadent" Western behavior.

The station manager was sleeping in the station when he heard something and discovered the building on fire.

The station broadcast 10 hours a day.

Makino said talks on rebuilding the station have already begun.

”Internews runs a multifaceted program designed to ensure that Afghanistan has an independent, pluralistic and trustworthy media providing accurate news and information on a broad range of issues in both local and national contexts,” Makino said.