Afghanistan: Harnessing the Power of Healthy Government-Media Engagement

I have just returned from an exhausting but exhilarating week in Kabul, where I had a lively exchange with the Afghan journalists. The freedom that exists for the press in Afghanistan is largely thanks to an enlightened Deputy Minister who some years ago freely issued licenses.  However, whilst the top end of the media market is slick and modern (if not occasionally dubiously funded), left unregulated the seedy underbelly of Afghan journalism can be insensitive and irresponsible.  Couple this with a reported lack of media capacity within the Afghan Government and a tendency to respond to inaccurate reporting with knee jerk overreaction – the relationship seems doomed to spiral downwards, unless action is taken.

This situation is compounded by a recent burst of energy from the insurgents’ press operation.  I saw one of many Dari, Pashto and English press releases - emailed directly to journalists - whilst I was there.  They were highly polished and well presented accounts of their perceived tactical success. We also heard a Taleban Spokesman airing his views on Radio Liberty – I wonder how long it will be before insurgents start blogging on their recently launched website?

Clearly, communicating has never been more important.  This is not about spin, it is now about balanced reporting, and it’s about giving a voice to the peaceful.  With a clear narrative (that is provided in the Compact, if only a spot light were shone on it), the Government, the international community and civil society (including the media) in Afghanistan could all be working together towards the vision that is a bright future for Afghanistan. 

US Secretary for Defense, Robert Gates has said, not for the first time, that he believes “the military must focus more on winning the hearts and minds of local people in lawless pockets of the world, and less on battling nation states with tanks and fighter jets”.  But sadly this is not yet a reality on the ground.  Besides, as Kai Eide said on BBC Radio 4 shortly after taking office in April, any reconciliation process should be “undertaken and led by the Afghan government”.  International actors like Gates can prescribe this approach (and support it) but those most likely to succeed in Afghanistan are the Afghans themselves.  As elections approach, the time has never been more right for the Government of Afghanistan to grasp the nettle and understand the power and necessity of healthy engagement with a flourishing and robust media sector.  

Photo Credit: Albany Associates (International)