25 April 2010 - Journalists in Kandahar achieved a major milestone last week when they inaugurated the first ever press club in the south of the country.

The Kandahar Press Club, which will be funded by journalists themselves, will offer an opportunity for the media in the south to tackle the prevailing obstacles and challenges being faced in the course of their duties.

The press club will organise training workshops, hold press conferences, and will serve as a media centre for all media activities in the region.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Kandahar Governor Toryali Wesa, the head of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, Engineer Abdul Qadar 'Noorzai', correspondents across the southern region, the special representative of the Canadian Government for Kandahar, teachers, and representatives from the Government and civil society.

Speaking at the function, Mr Wesa said his “government is committed to freedom of expression”, adding that a “free press is an essential ingredient for any democracy.”

Fazal Rehman, head of the press club, who also works for Ashna Radio (VOA), said that the centre will provide the media community with a place to meet, solve problems and serve as a forum to exchange ideas and experiences.

Mr Rahman added that the miseries, problems and regional issues of the people will also be reflected – on a larger scale – through the media centre.

Currently, journalists in the region are confronted with various challenges, including increased security risks and intimidation, unfavourable working environment, and lack of information and support from local authorities in the aftermath of security incidents.

Three journalists, working with the BBC, Canadian TV and Ariana TV, lost their lives in the line of duties and several others have sustained injuries while covering events in the region.

Some journalists, however, have been criticized for lacking journalistic standards and for working toward their individual causes.

The Governor, without naming anyone, deplored some media for deliberately targeting personalities, saying that correspondents should display neutrality and professionalism.

Mr Wesa also called upon all media to broadcast issues related to development, besides just reporting security incidents.

Various human rights groups also welcomed the formation of the press club.

The head of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, Engineer Abdul Qadar 'Noorzai' said a free media is vital for the implementation of the rule of law.

“I hope that the press club, alongside other civil society organizations, will endeavour to protect human rights”, said Mr Noorzai.

By Mujeeb Rahman, UNAMA