Publications
Afghanistan
Nai- Supporting Afghanistan Open Media
Media Watch Report
Afghan Journalism Freedom Report
#16
November 2006
(PDF version
of Issue #16 - English)
Sediqullah Tawhidi
Media analyst
The spread of fighting and insecurity in the southern and eastern provinces
of Afghanistan presents a set of new challenges to the media. Due to
the nature of their work, reporters must cover breaking stories, which
often takes them to battle zones.
Among the most disturbing developments, the Taliban have officially
threatened reporters who quote international forces regarding casualty
figures and other details of the fighting. State authorities, meanwhile,
have also harassed and physically attacked journalists. The Free Journalist
Association has expressed serious concern about the matter.
In this report, Media Watch has followed the following issues:
- Mullah Dadullah, a prominent Taliban commander, threatened reporters
with death.
- Two reporters of Radio Da Soli Paigham were injured in Khost, while
cases of violence and intimidation against reporters were reported
in Paktika and Kabul .
- Arman-e-Millie editor in chief Mir Haider Mutaher,was detained by
the National Security Department for six hours.
- Italian photojournalist Gabriele Torsello is freed from his unknown
kidnappers .
- Jabul Seraj Radio Sulh reporter Abdul Qudoos still awaits trial
- Seminar convened for provincial directors of the state-owned RTA
(Radio Television Afghanistan) .
1. Taliban commander threatens journalists with death
In a July 31 interview with the Associated Press, Taliban commander
for the southern districts Mullah Dadullah accused journalists of working
in the service of the Afghan government and its international backers.
Dadullah said journalists who reported Nato figures of Taliban battlefield
casualties would be killed. “If journalists engage in the publication
of lies [told by] the international Coalition forces, they will be killed,”
he said. “Reporters of open media in Afghanistan act as the international
Coalition forces means of propaganda.”
The threat was issued after media outlets reported that more than 200
Taliban fighters were killed in fighting in the south. The Taliban said
those figures were exaggerated.
In his threat, Mullah Dadullah claimed the killing of journalists who
publish such reports is authorized and supported under Islamic Law (sharia).
Meanwhile, Coalition Forces spokesman John Paradis explained how casualty
figures are obtained. “When the operations are over or even when the
fighting is going on, reports are prepared by the head of the operations
and are submitted to the command center by means of communications,”
Paradis said. “The command center then organizes and regulates the received
reports.”
Reports based on information from the command center of the Coalition
forces meet journalism standards which require reporting on who, where
and when operations are carried out.
Rahimullah Samandar, chairman of the Free Journalist Association in
Kabul, regarded the Taliban threat as serious. “The most important thing
among the principles of journalism is the safety of a journalist’s life,”
Samandar said. “In principle, a journalist is not supposed to put his
or her life in danger to gather facts.”
Samandar also noted that reporters are unable to access the battlefields.
“For example, if there is a news-related conference and a journalist
will go to Noor Jahan Hotel and share his or her report with all journalists
residing in Kandahar. Taliban too have a complaint about the fact that
reporters are reporting from Noor Jahan Hotel of Kandahar and that they
have been notified that in this war X number of people died and X number
were injured. It's not possible to report about the war from the Noor
Jahan Hotel.”
Concerning the accuracy of battlefield statistics, Ministry of Defense
spokesman General Zahir Azim told Media Watch: “In any incident journalists
themselves observe and are close witnesses to such events. There have
been many cases when the coalition forces have acknowledged that they
had killed a certain number of enemy fighters, while we have rejected
such claims and have declared to the media the figures we had. The coalition
forces data might have been right, but our documents wouldn’t confirm
them. The government, as opposed to the Taliban, has provided accurate
news information to the media. Journalists have witnessed cases such
as suicide attacks or combat operations where only one person died while
the Taliban claimed 15 dead.”
Speaking on media workers' safety, Ministry of Interior spokesman Zamarai
Bashari told Media Watch that: “The police are obligated to cooperate
with reporters to ensure their safety and to take measures for their
security. Whenever journalists feel they are in danger, the police have
to ensure their security with particular attention and seriousness. Sometimes
there are exceptional circumstances, where a risk against life is deemed
to be present. In such cases, the police may hinder the work of journalists
because of the dangers which threaten journalists. Therefore, police
regard themselves responsible to safeguard journalists against dangers.”
The National Security Department is also responsible for the safety
of journalists. Department officials declined to speak to Media Watch.
Media Watch believes that ensuring the safety of life and work for journalists
is an obligation of governments and becomes an even more serious issue
in situations of war and insecurity. Journalists too must not forget
to follow safety measures and avoid putting themselves at risk. Journalists
should strive to protect their lives, and in a country like Afghanistan
whereaccess to accurate and impartial information is difficult work in
times of war, journalists must take extra measures to be safe. The murder
of BBC reporter Mirwais Jalil during the civil war in 1992 is a clear
example the dangers.
2. Two reporters injured in a suicide attack in Khost and
a reporter for Paktika Zhagh beaten in Sharan City
Journalists are continuing to face immense obstacles while reporting
as violence across the south and east continues to escalate.
In September, Paktia Governor Hakim Taniwalwas assassinated in a suicide
attack outside his office in the provincial capital of Gardez. A second
suicide blast during his funeral ceremony killed six more and injured
several, including Radio Da Soli Paigham reporter Asghar Akbari and RTA
cameraman Mir Abdul Sattar. At time of writing, the reporters were still
receiving treatment for their injuries. Meanwhile, RTA reporter Saeed
Najimi was threatened by funeral attendees after his colleagues were
injured. He told Media Watch in a telephone conversation that the pallbearers,
who had lost six of their relatives and were very angry, threatened him
and prevented him from filing his report.
In another incident, Obaidulla Sarrauzawal, a reporter for Radio Paktika
Ghag in Sharan, Paktika was beaten by four armed soldiers as he was preparing
a report.
He told Media Watch:
“Some weeks ago, when I wanted to prepare a report concerning an incident
in the province, four soldiers of the national army who were nearby asked
me to show them my telephone. I refused to do so and they asked me to
show my telephone license to them. I showed them the license and in addition,
summoned a person from the company that sold the telephone to me. But
they [the soldiers] beat me as well as the owner of the mentioned company.”
Ministry of Defense spokesman Zahir Azimi rejected the claim. “We try
our best to maintain a strong relation with media and the press and this
is a mutual need,” he told Media Watch “The press needs news and facts
and we need to convey our message to the people. Therefore, there is
a cordial cooperation between us. If such an incident occurred, we will
definitely pursue it and will find the reasons.”
One of the organs which must act as an advocate for freedom of journalists
is the Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs. Minister Abdul Kareem Khuram
told the Media Watch: “In the absence of urgent circumstances if any
one hinders the work of reporters, and the Ministry of Culture and Youth
Affairs is informed about the matter, the ministry will definitely take
action and follow up on the case.”
Harassment, abuse and physical force against journalists is a breach
of the Constitution and the Media Law. The laws stipulate that reporters
and citizens have a right to seek and obtain information as they desire.
Abuse of power and the unlawful actions of security authorities create
an environment of repression and block access to information. The war
is narrowing the space for freedom of expression, particularly for those
reporting from the provinces. Media Watch believes that the current conditions
for media workers parallel the lack of freedoms during the decades of
war in which independent media was banned.
On July 30, a suicide attack in the Hootkhel district of Kabul killed
three police officers and injured several. Pajhwak Afghan News reporter
Khalid Mowahed was heading to the site of the bombing to when the vehicle
carrying him was shot at by Coalition soldiers. He escaped unharmed.
“I was moving along the same road in a normal manner to the scene of
the accident,” Mowahed told Media Watch “My car was shot from an unknown
side. I stopped the vehicle and walked. Three bullets had been shot at
my vehicle, one of which had hit my car. The shooting was done by Coalition
Forces and I had to walk for ten minutes to get to the scene.” According
to Mowahed, his car carried the Pajhwak logo and was recognizable from
the distance he was shot at.
Minister of Culture and Youth Affair Abdul Kareem Khuram said the ministry
does not follow up on cases where journalists are threatened by security
forces during. “Preventing obstacles for journalists in the course of
reporting under normal conditions is my obligation. If journalists are
shot by mistake in situations where a suicide attack has occurred and
security forces do not let any one get close to the scene, I have no
idea who will investigate and follow up such a case.”
Coalition spokesman John Paradis said he had no knowledge of the incident.
Paradis told Media Watch: “With regard to this accident, I don’t know
what the truth was as I was not there,” he said. “It is possible that
our forces might have resorted to such an action, but it is against our
adopted laws and is regarded as a violation committed by our soldiers.”
The case of the Pajhwak reporter is not an isolated incident. Given
the escalating violence, reporters covering security incidents and traveling
in areas where military operations are ongoing are in great danger with
little guarantee for their safety and protection.
3. National Security Department detains Arman e Millie
editor Mir Haider Mutahar for six hours.
Mir Haider Mutahar, editor-in-chief of Arman-e-Millie Daily, was detained
by the National Security Department for six hours, apparently in response
to publishing an article that included a rumor that the Taliban had entered
Kabul for 48 hours. The story was published on Aug. 21, issue 117.
“When we published this news, the national security authorities arrested
me,” Mutahar told Media Watch “I spent six hours under detention. An
inquiry was made and I provided information to their satisfaction so
I was set free. My detention was illegal. If they had any questions,
they should have first approached the Commission on Media Violations
at the Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs, and thus I would have answered
their questions through the commission.
According to the Media Law, any apparent offenses must be reviewed by
the Commission on Media Violations, which will examine the matter and
refer the the case for judicial prosecution, if necessary. Otherwise,
the media agency or journalist will be subject to a fine or acquitted
of the charges. Media Watch believes National security officials violated
the rule of law in the case of the Amran-e Millie editor.
Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs Abdul Kareem Khuram, who chairs
the Commission on Media Violations, told Media Watch: “The chief editor
of Arman Daily was detained due to printing a news clip which was regarded
as an urgent issue and convening the meeting of the commission and discussing
the matter required time,” Khuram said. “Now, I don’t think he was tortured,
arrested, or affronted. All over the world it is customary for the state
authorities to act rapidly to acquire information in such cases. Since
this was a sensitive news item and related to the security of the country,
the national security authorities engaged in such an action.”
However, deputy chairman of the National Association of Journalists
in Afghanistan Sayed Hamid Noori said the arrest of Mutahar was unlawful.
“The arrest of Mr. Mutahar is in violation of laws governing freedom
of speech and freedom of media, and it went against the media law,” he
said. “Currently, laws don’t authorize the National Security Department
to detain a reporter without justification and in the absence of consultation
with journalist institutions.”
Media Watch believes that imprisonment of journalists, pursuant to the
media law, is applicable only when the complainant submits a complaint
in writing to the Commission on Media Violations and the commission,
upon deliberation, determines if the matter should be referred to judicial
prosecution. A reporter may only be arrested following official charges
by legal authorities.
Media Watch hopes that those who are charged with enforcing laws will
not violate the laws and those reporters will regard them as their supporters,
not their enemies. In this event, freedom of speech and reporters' safety
can be guaranteed.
4. Gabriele Torsello, an Italian photo journalist, freed from
captivity of an unknown group
Gabriele Torsello, a kidnapped Italian journalist, was released from
captivity on Nov. 3, 2006. Torsello was kidnapped three weeks earlier
by unknown gunmen while traveling on a bus near Kandahar.
Torsello, who is based in London, told Pajhwak Afghan News Agency prior
to his kdinapping that he wanted to travel to rural districts to take
pictures. His kidnappers claimed to be Taliban member, but they later
told Pajhwak that they were Muslims fighting against foreign troops.
A Taliban spokesman, Qari Mohammad Yusuf, condemned the kidnapping of
Torsello. His kidnappers, believed to be criminals, offered to hand Torsello
over in return for an Afghan convert to Christianity, who had been granted
asylum in Italy. They later demanded that Italian troops who are part
of Nato should withdraw from Afghanistan.
After his release, Torsello was taken to the Italian Emergency
Hospital in Lashkar Gah, Helmand. He was later transferred to Kabul.
Speaking at a news conference at the Italian Embassy, Torsello said:
“I was deprived of the sun for 23 days and they had fastened my hands
and feet with chains.” He did know the identity of his abductors, saying
that their faces were covered.
Gabriele Torsello expressed his gratitude for the efforts by the Afghan
and Italian governments to secure his release. Neither governments have
released details of their involvement in his release, but they have denied
paying a ransom.
The case highlights the continued threat that lawlessness in the country
has on the ability of media workers to move about the country freely
and report on events. Last month, two journalists working for Deutsche
Welle were murdered by unknown gunmen while camping in the northern province
of Baghlan. The lack of security also continues to impact Afghan journalists
who face similar obstacles, including threats of death, kidnapping and
robbery.
5. Abdul Qudoos, reporter for Radio Sulh still awaits trial
Media Watch condemns the lack of due process and calls for a resolution
in the case of detained journalist Abdul Qudoos, who has been imprisoned
for more than nine months without trial.
According to Afghan law, defendants are entitled to a trial within 40
days after charges are brought against them. Abdul Qudoos - who is a
reporter for Radio Sulh in Jabul Saraj, Parwan - was arrested in February
while attending a journalism course at the Nai-Supporting Open Media
in Afghanistan training center in Kabul. He was arrested based on accusations
made by National Assembly member Samea Sadat that he made a failed attempt
on her life.
His case has only recently been referred to the Primary Court on Crimes
against Domestic and Foreign Security.
Media Watch tried to interview the complainant Sadat and Abdul Baset
Delawari, who heads the Court on Crimes against Domestic and Foreign
Security. Both refused to provide information or comment on the pending
case.
Media Watch believes the case highlights abuse of power by influential
politicians. It is clear that Sadat, a Member of Parliament, used her
influence in the government to press for his unlawful arrest. Furthemore,
Abdul Qudoos was arrested by Parwan province police, who have no jurisdiction
in Kabul. His prolonged detention and the lack of due process also indicate
further abuses of power and a lack of respect for the rule of law.
6. Seminar of provincial directors of State
TV channels convened.
Provincial directors of RTA television affiliates attended a training
seminar held in Kabul on August 20. Several directors of domestic and
foreign media outlets based in Kabul also attended the seminar.
Minister of Culture and Youth Affairs Abdul Kareem Khuram, deputy minister
for publications Rashid Mubariz and deputy minister for tourism Naeem
Farahi were among the keynote speakers.
Khuram said the seminar's aim was to discuss better reporting methods
in provincial stations and to increase coordination between Kabul and
the regional affiliates Regional Television Departments.
“We hope that this seminar will be able to provide adequate information
concerning provincial radio and TV,” Khuram said.
Rashid Mubariz said: “Media outlets are operating as a family and we
think the family has a pivotal role in the national development and security,
which requires adequate attention.”
Other speakers included Haji Sayyid Dawud, editor-in-chief of Erada
Daily and head of Afghan Publication Center and Aimal Pesarlay, who heads
the BBC office in Kabul. Both spoke on modern journalism and reporting.
Some regional directors expressed concern that the Ministry of Culture
and Youth Affairs would attempt to place provincial television networks
under its control. Directors said regional affiliates operate independently
under the supervision of the national television, which according to
the law is independent from the ministry.
Amanullah Khalilyar, director for provincial TV administrations in the
National TV Directorate, rejected these claims, saying that the national
TV is not independent, operating under the control of the Ministry of
Culture and Youth Affairs. Khalilyar said former minister Sayyid Makhdoom
Raheen, had stated that “From now on, I have no thing to do [with the
National TV] and the national TV is free.”
However, neither in the past, nor now, has RTA been independent, Khalilyar
said. “Right now, all administrative affairs [of the TV] are discharged
through the ministry and we have not noticed freedom and independence
of the National TV,” he added. “The National Commission on Broadcast
of the TV and the chairman has no power concerning hiring and transfer
of employees, and presently the national TV obtains its broadcast policy
from the Ministry of Culture and Youth.”
However, article 31 of the Media Law states that National TV is free
from ministry control. RTA is guided by the National Commission on Broadcast
of TV.
Open media in Afghanistan continue to face multiple problems and challenges
due to the ongoing war, lack of security and enforcement and respect
for the rule of law by state authorities and the public.
Nevertheless, the increase in the number of audio-visual and print media
- and growth in the level of professionalism and ethical journalism -
raises hopes that in the future, if society obeys the rule of law, the
media will be able to play an instrumental role in providing unfettered
information access to the Afghan population.
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For any queries or information please contact:
Sediqullah Tawhidi
Media Analyst
Nai- Supporting Afghanistan Open Media
Mobile: + 93 70279176
OR
Jawid Ahmad
Media Monitor
Nai- Supporting Afghanistan Open Media
Mobile: +93 799340831
jawid.ahmad@nai.org.af
www.nai.org.af
Note: To maintain the confidentiality and to protect sources it
was not possible for Nai to corroborate the incidents by carrying out
additional investigations. None of the material herein may be reproduced
without permission from Nai.
This newsletter was made possible through support provided by the U.S.
Agency for International Development, under the terms of Award No.HAD-A-00-03-00119-05
and by the European Commission, under project ASIE/2005/16775/106772. The
opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the U.S. Agency for International Development or the
European Commission.
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