Free Expression groups release Action Plan for Afghan media

In many ways this statement is an expression of the quality of news and commuication freedoms that could be the basis of any national or international legislative body's commitment to democractic principles. It is a working charter for communication in the pursuit of peace and reconciliation.

Nine free expression groups including ARTICLE 19, the International Federation of Journalists, the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters sans frontières have called on the international community to ensure that a commitment to respect freedom of expression is a key part of all political and development aid negotiations over the future of Afghanistan.

"A crucial prerequisite for peace and stability, and democracy, in Afghanistan is the creation of an inclusive media environment based on respect for the international guarantee of freedom of expression," say the groups, which also include Internews, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, International Media Support, Media Action International and Oxford University.

The groups have come up with a joint strategic action plan for media in post-war Afghanistan, outlining steps that Afghan authorities and the international community will need to take in order to ensure free expression concerns are addressed.

"Afghan authorities should undertake a review of all laws restricting freedom of expression, and remove obstacles to free access to information," says the plan, and journalists should also not be prevented from freely organising themselves into independent associations. In addition, the groups say authorities need to set up an Independent Broadcasting Authority that is free of political interference, "with governing rules that set out clearly a fair licensing process."

The plan says the international community needs to make the training of Afghan media workers a priority in promoting media development, and make special efforts to include women in all programs. As well, the plan places "critical importance" on providing long-term support for local independent media. On the issue of funding, the United Nations is being urged to convene a media donors' meeting "at the earliest possible opportunity" to co-ordinate levels of assistance. "It is essential that a wide range of donors participate in a co-ordinated media assistance program to avoid any appearance of domination by a single outside State."
Click here to view the joint strategic plan

For more information on media development in Afghanistan, view the website of the Institute for War and Peace Reporting:

The Statement is signed by:

David Hoffman, President, Internews Network

Monroe Price, Director, Programme in Comparative Media Law & Policy at Oxford University Centre for Socio-legal Studies

Edward Girardet, Director, Media Action International

Anthony Borden, Executive Director, Institute for War & Peace Reporting

Andrew Puddephatt, Executive Director ARTICLE 19

Jesper Højberg, Executive Director, International Media Support

Robert Ménard, General Secretary , Reporter Sans Frontières

Aidan White, General Secretary, International Federation of Journalists

Ann Cooper, Executive Director, Committee to Protect Journalists

Oleg Katsiev, President, Internews International