On Aug 6, 2020, Tarzi Research Foundation (TRF) hosted an online conversation with Baitullah Hamidi, Assistant Professor of Journalism & Mass Communication at Kabul University.
On Aug 6, 2020, Tarzi Research Foundation (TRF) hosted an online conversation with Baitullah Hamidi, Assistant Professor of Journalism & Mass Communication at Kabul University.
The discussion was hosted and moderated by Dawood Mohammadi, Deputy Director of Tarzi Research Foundation (TRF). The discussion was held online under the title of “Free Media & National Interests in Afghanistan.”
Baitullah Hamidi shed light on the 150 year-long history of media in Afghanistan and analyzed different up-down phases over time. According to Mr. Hamidi, the year 2001 was a critical juncture in the history of media in Afghanistan. It witnessed an unprecedented level of freedom and expansion after the collapse of the Taliban regime (1996-2001), which suppressed the media. He added that the inclusion of freedom of speech and media in the country’s constitution was a significant step taken by the post-Taliban government of Afghanistan. The government assured media freedom under the law and protected it from any aggression by authorities, groups, or individuals.
The 2004 constitution and Media Law, passed in 2007, gives freedom to media for publishing any media outlet and investigation without prior submission to state authorities.
Mr. Hamidi, in his speeches, pointed out the bias and partisan roles of few media platforms in Afghanistan and ignoring playing their actual role as a bridge between the people and government. He further added that the media industry in Afghanistan, instead of a comprehensive picture, often presents a single story of the events and issues. Such selectivity in perspectives presentations raising objections to the integrity and impartiality of media.
Mr. Hamidi said the control and censorship of media still exist in almost every country, including the most liberal and democratic, with different scales and different approaches. He gave the example of the New York Times, which is not out of control of the ruling system of America.
According to Mr. Hamidi, Aljazeera is another case that nearly presents bias reports and aligns its news with the official position of the government of Qatar. Sputnik is not less than Aljazeera in selectivity and biases when reporting world news, but avoiding recording and publishing any problems caused by the Russian government.
While explaining the positive and negative roles of the media in Afghanistan, Mr. Hamidi also stressed that the vague concept of “protection of national interests” should not be the tool of censorship and limitation the freedom of media in the hands of the government. He suggests that the state must redefine the national interests and the limits of freedom of the press.
Watch video: https://youtu.be/OVHdGQ5-67g