World Press Freedom Day celebrated in Afghanistan
09-05-2011 (Kabul)
Shigeru Aoyagi
© UNESCO
World Press Freedom Day was celebrated in Kabul to highlight and recognize the most important achievement of the post-Taliban democracy - the media development and freedom. The event took place on 8 May 2011 in the International Press Centre of the Ministry of Information and Culture.
According to Sayed Makhdom Raheen, Minister of Information and Culture, press freedom and expansion of media are as the outstanding achievements of post-Taliban era. “The number of media increased from 0 to 200 within one month after the Taliban regime collapsed. Over 1000 media outlets - print, radio and television - operate now across the country,” said Mr Raheen.
Shigeru Aoyagi, Director of the UNESCO Kabul Office, reiterated UNESCO’s mandate to promote freedom of expression and flow of transparent information in the country. “I am pleased to witness the great achievements of the media in Afghanistan. However we need to do more to sustain the achievements and to invest in the new aspects of media, such as online journalism,” he said.
The recent report by Nai - Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan (a local media development organization) shows a considerable drop down in the security of Afghan journalists in 2010, compared to 2009. Insecurity continues to remain the main challenge for the media outlets in the country, warns the report.
Since its opening in 2001, UNESCO’s Kabul Office has been assisting the Ministry of Information and Culture in promoting freedom of speech and access to accurate and transparent information as a basis for pluralistic and democratic society.
Shigeru Aoyagi, Director of the UNESCO Kabul Office, reiterated UNESCO’s mandate to promote freedom of expression and flow of transparent information in the country. “I am pleased to witness the great achievements of the media in Afghanistan. However we need to do more to sustain the achievements and to invest in the new aspects of media, such as online journalism,” he said.
The recent report by Nai - Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan (a local media development organization) shows a considerable drop down in the security of Afghan journalists in 2010, compared to 2009. Insecurity continues to remain the main challenge for the media outlets in the country, warns the report.
Since its opening in 2001, UNESCO’s Kabul Office has been assisting the Ministry of Information and Culture in promoting freedom of speech and access to accurate and transparent information as a basis for pluralistic and democratic society.
Sayed Makhdom Raheen, Afghan Minister of Information and Culture
© UNESCO
World Press Freedom Day celebration in Kabul© UNESCO
Related themes/countries
· Afghanistan
· World Press Freedom Day 2011
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