03 May 2011 – One of the most volatile and dangerous regions for news-reporting celebrated World Press Freedom Day with an exhibit of photos. The photos were of war photography and shots of everyday life.

The event was attended by media correspondents, high ranking officials, the head of AIHRC regional office for Kandahar, intellectuals, writers and members of civil society.

The pivotal role the media plays in the Kandahar region was highlighted by the Governor, Dr. Toryali Wesa.

“In Afghanistan, particularly in Southern Region, the media plays a crucial role to promote freedom of expression and by linking people with the government and vice-versa,” he said.

At the same time, Dr. Wesa noted that in the present environment that reports by the press also have the capacity to fuel discord.

“However, there are certain media channels which are working for particular elements and by fuelling cultural, linguistic, religious and ethnic differences, they would like to gain their personal interests, which they should seriously avoid.”

World Press Freedom Day was created about 20 years ago by journalists in Windhoek, Namibia. The Windhoek Declaration was a call to arms to protect the fundamental principles of the freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration Human Rights. It was also a bell ringing in change across the world.

“Twenty years on, the media landscape has changed beyond recognition, but our objective remains the same: to promote freedom of expression as the foundation for human dignity and the cornerstone of democracy”, said a message issued jointly by UN secretary-General, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNESCO Director-General in regard to the Press Freedom Day.

Media correspondents face great challenges in reporting from conflict zones. In Afghanistan’s Southern Region, media correspondents are often intimidated in the course of their work. Recently a mob beat a correspondent while he was out reporting on a demonstration by Kandahar residents angered by the burning of a Koran by an American pastor.

Celebrating Press Freedom Day is a vital step towards recognition of the work of the media in the region.

“It is the first time, in Kandahar, that the Press Freedom Day is organized with great interest. On behalf of media association in Kandahar, I would like to extend my gratitude to UNAMA office in Kandahar for assisting us to make this programme productive and colourful”, said Mr Fazal Rahman, the head of Kandahar Press Club.

The Press Club chose to recognize and celebrate the work of several peers.

Heela, a local woman reporter for Afghan Independent Radio received an award for “We and the Society”, a series of 10-minute features that run for about a month.

Other winners were Sidiqullah Khaliq, a commentator for Hewad TV, who was recognized for his “Mehwar”, a political show tackling current events. Janan Momin, an editor for Tolo-e-Afghan Newspaper, one of Kandahar’s most popular and oldest newspapers. A fourth award was won by Bashir Nadim, a photojournalist for Reuters and Pajhwok.

Along with the photo exhibition, the Press Freedom Day programme also included debates and round table discussions on different TV and Radio channels in the region.

By: UNAMA/Kandahar