Press ReleasesAfghan Radio Station Torched by Taliban is Back on Air
(December 21, 2007) After four months of silence on the radio waves of Wardak province, Radio Yawali Ghag is now back on air. As the only independent media in the area, Radio Yawali Ghag is a key source of information for the local people. It was in August that close to a dozen Taliban fighters entered the station, abused staff and burnt the building to the ground. Insurgency activity in Wardak province has been on the increase; although the station had never received direct threats before the attack, it is now in an area increasingly considered to be a frontline in the war on terror in Afghanistan. At a time when faith in the government is wavering and the Taliban are re-emerging, the role of independent media in the provinces is becoming increasingly important. Internews, with support from USAID, continues to ensure that independent media have a voice in Afghanistan, from large commercial radio stations to small community stations largely run by volunteers. Internews Country Director Vanessa Johanson noted, “The enthusiasm of the station staff and community in Wardak to rebuild their station in cooperation with Internews is one indication that even in the most difficult conflict situations radio is a priority, indeed a necessity.” The station manager at Radio Yawali Ghag, Mr Hazratuddin confirmed Johanson’s comments, “Our people are elated that we are back on air, especially the students and clerics. They condemned the torching of the station and thought that the perpetrators were the enemies of our nation, culture and people.” Radio is central to post-Taliban democratic development, particularly at the local level. A recent survey by the Asia Society found, – “more than half the people interviewed got their news from the radio – and said that they trust the broadcast media more than politicians or the courts.” Internews, through funding from USAID, plans to continue building and supporting the fledgling media landscape. |
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