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USAID
Information:
External Links:
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Afghanistan :: Media
MEDIA SNAPSHOT
Built independent news agency
providing daily national news coverage of Afghanistan.
Supported creation of national
independent radio network.
Created local and national media
that played a key role in educating the Afghan public for
the Presidential elections.
Trained nearly 2,000 journalists
with many receiving on-the-job training in working media
institutions.
Media Profile
(pdf - 165k)
CONTACTS
Mission Director
Robin Phillips
USAID/Kabul
6180 Kabul Place
Dulles, VA 20189-6180
Tel: 873-762-311955
Desk Officer
Caroline Brearley
Tel: (202) 712-0324
Email: cbrearley@usaid.gov
www.usaid.gov/afghanistan
Overview
USAID supports media development in Afghanistan to promote
the free exchange of information and ideas vital to the democratic
process and development of civil society. USAID is building
the capacity of local, state and independent broadcast media
through technical support, equipment upgrade, hands-on training
in balanced and accurate reporting, and development of an
Afghan media policy and regulatory framework.
Programs
Network of Radio Stations and TV
Since most Afghans receive their news via radio, USAID has
invested significant resources in upgrading the broadcasting
sector. USAID has:
- Supported 31 community-based, independent FM
radio stations across the country.
- Supported the creation of Tolo TV, a commercial
TV station that started broadcasting on the eve
of the Presidential elections and is now on the
air 24 hours/day.
- Established radio monitoring and reporting units
in 7 provinces to monitor media content for Afghan
commercial clients and the international community.
Training for Media Professionals
To strengthen Afghan media in the long-term, USAID has invested
in young media professionals and students. Hundreds of journalists
have been trained as part of the establishment of an independent
media network across the country. The status to date is:
- Trained almost 2,000 male and female media
professionals.
- Updated the journalism curriculum at six universities.
- Provided training for professors and hands-on
radio and print journalism training for almost
400 novice journalists at newly established university
media centers.
Radio Programming and Distribution
USAID has produced independent, national radio programming
emphasizing nation-building and national unity that is broadcast
via satellite to 34 radio stations, including a few state
stations, for 4 hours each day. Other achievements include:
- Broadcast program coverage reaching 52% of the Afghan
population via AM/FM; shortwave transmission of the programming
covers all of Afghanistan as well as Afghan communities
living in Pakistan and Iran.
- Established a network that distributes 34 radio programs
produced by NGOs, independent media outlets and USAID supported
stations to more than 55 radio stations and media outlets
throughout the country.
- Funded the production of numerous public interest radio
programs, including award-winning children’s programming
as well as programs highlighting civic education, women’s
issues and human rights.
- Distributed 40,000 radios to vulnerable populations including
rural women.
Publications and Alternative Media
USAID has supported a number of publications and alternative
media programs, such as community theatre, art shows, and
the production of dozens of films and documentaries. The programs
are both educational and entertaining, and designed to raise
awareness and stimulate discussion on current social and political
issues. USAID has:
- Supported two national news publications: Killid, a weekly
magazine, and Morsal, a women’s monthly magazine.
- Provided printing support to a Kabul daily newspaper and
to a university printing press.
- Supported eight mobile cinemas showing feature and educational
films about reconstruction, elections, human rights, health
and mine safety that have reached over one million rural
Afghans.
Technical Assistance
USAID has provided capacity building for local, state, and
independent broadcast media and, working with the Government
of Afghanistan, has developed Afghan media policy and a regulatory
framework. These efforts have strengthened the Afghan media
and government’s ability to promote dialogue on key
political events such as Loya Jirgas and elections as Afghanistan
embraces democratic governance. Achievements include:
- Established an independent news agency that provides
accurate information to local, regional and international
media outlets.
- Provided technical support in the development of Afghanistan’s
media broadcast law and the Election Media Code of Conduct.
- Provided technical advisors to the Office of the Presidential
Spokesperson.
More Information
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