June 02, 2013
Kabul: Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) welcomes the remarks of Sayed Makhdom Raheen, Minister of Information and Culture for agreeing to establish the Mass Media Commission.
On June 01, in a session of the Senate Commission on Complains, Minister Raheen agreed to include two representatives of journalists to the composition of High Media Council and seven to the Mass Media Commission.
Over the last four years, journalists support organizations have asked the Ministry of Information and Culture to abolish the illegal Media Violation Investigation Commission and establish the Mass Media Commission in accordance with the articles 42 and 43 of Mass Media law.
During the session, Zalmai Zabuli, Chair of the Senate Commission on Complains voiced support for the implementation of the Mass Media Law. Minister Raheen accepted the demands of journalists support centers and asked them to introduce nominees to his Ministry within a week.
Welcoming this move as an important step for the protection of journalists, Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) asks the Ministry of Information and Culture to instantly establish the Mass Media Commission, mandated to review cases of media violations.
The current Afghan Media Law was passed in 2002 and was revised following an increase in media organizations. It was approved by the Afghan Parliament in 2007. The Media Law was revised for the third time in 2009 and was finally approved and published in 54 articles in the same year.
The independent Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) is operating nationwide to essentially promote media freedom and provide unique training opportunities nationwide or worldwide for Afghan journalists with an aim to enhance their journalistic skills.