National Conference Discusses Media’s Peace Role

Kabul (BNA) In cooperation with MediaTech organization and Germany, the National Conference was held in Kabul the other day. Calling position and media role in peace process important, Hamidullah Zazai, the MediaTech organization coordinator said, ‘the media should know their responsibility in restoring peace and reconciliation process.’ At the same time, Deputy Information and Culture on Publication Affairs, Prof. Sayeda Mojgan Mostafavi said, ‘however, Afghanistan’s media are faced with problems qualitatively, but they should act more responsible before incidents happen in the country.’ She added that the literacy and public understanding rate is low, but the media are expected to act more responsible before their publications. ‘The media role is impetrative in reforming social disorders, fighting extremism, corruption, narcotics’ trafficking and violence against women,’ Ms. Mostafavi went on to say. Likewise, the country’s media outlets should pay heed in releasing victims’ identity, as according to mass media law it is called a crime, she continued. The journalists should also pay attention to public minds during reflecting reports on wars, she stated. The journalists should be peace ambassadors, she said, adding the media should consider balance while releasing news, and they should not make the people hopeless to future. Mowlawi Khabir, deputy to High Peace Council also said in the conference that media could act as fourth force in the country. He added that implementation of social justice, civil values and protection of last fifteen years’ achievements was impossible without peace. He also said that Afghanistan was in war since long and has made much sacrifices in this regard, but now it is the time that the Afghan nation, the regional and world countries to jointly work for maintaining peace and stability in the country. Stressing on media role in restoring peace, chairwoman of Klid Group, Najiba Ayoubi said in the conference that sometimes the media had to release reports on war in the country, because it is a harsh reality going on and they cannot ignore it. Nadir Nadiri, presidential senior advisor on public and strategic relations said, ‘many of political processes are happened behind closed groups, but the government leaders should share the information with people, because, access to information is anyone’s right and no one can prevent it.’ Afghanistan is burning in war flames since long, and any effort to put an end to it has been useless, but the experts believe that Pakistan role is the only way to end war in Afghanistan.