Nangarhar-based Dost Radio beset by financial woes

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Officials at Dost Radio in eastern Nangarhar province say financial difficulties are affecting their operations, with several employees experiencing delays in receiving salaries.

However, local officials affirmed their commitment to encouraging radio stations to obtain advertisements from government institutions and the private sector.

February 13 marks World Radio Day. In 2011, UNESCO’s member countries declared this day, and in 2012, the United Nations General Assembly recognised it as global observance.

Dost Radio, established in 2018, employs 22 people, including five women. The private radio station broadcasts six hours of programmes across various fields.

Abdul Razzaq Akhundzada, head of Dost Radio’s broadcasts, told Pajhwok Afghan News in an exclusive interview that financial constraints had recently impacted the station’s activities.

He complained there had been a decline in radio advertisements, a lack of projects and no financial support from media-support organisations.

“In the past, there were indeed many projects in the advertising sector because there were numerous organisations, so the media’s financial situation was much better. But now the economic situation of radio stations has worsened. Dost Radio is one of those stations whose economic condition has significantly weakened,” he noted.

He went on to explain currently, only a few employees were being paid, while the rest had not received their salaries.

Akhundzada explained: “Of the 22 people at the radio station, only those in key roles are receiving pay. The economic situation is affecting us, but it is still good that the radio remains active and is working for public awareness, so it’s not a very difficult situation. However, it is somewhat weaker than before.”

At the same time, some workers of the radio station also complained about delays in receiving salaries.

Arifullah Mikhail, a local journalist and social programme producer at Dost Radio, said: “At first, I thought the radio’s financial situation would be stable, and that they would pay us salaries and our work would continue.

“But now, seeing the radio’s economic situation, they are unable to pay salaries to the journalists or those involved in broadcasting. Our request is that the media should receive more attention.”

Another worker, Gulam Isaaq Safi, who has worked at Dost Radio for about four years, said without financial support, the station would either have to lay off employees or have them work without pay.

He said: “Due to the economic situation, the work has become somewhat weaker than before. The station doesn’t have the means to pay salaries on time.”

Director of Information and Culture, Maulvi Sediqullah Qureshi said since the return of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), two new radio stations had started operating in the province, and no radio station had halted its broadcasts so far.

He informed: “Currently, there are 15 radio stations operating in Nangarhar. Fortunately, with the return of IEA, two new radio stations have become active, and an enabling environment for their operations has also been created. So far, no media outlet has suspended its activities, and those shut down towards the end of the Republic era were due to a lack of financial support.”

According to Qureshi, the financial issue facing the media is widespread, but his department has assisted in attracting government advertisements for some radio stations in Nangarhar.

He said: “We have cooperated with government institutions, agencies and the private market in attracting advertisements, and we now have enough resources to maintain 24-hour radio broadcasts.

“We have made efforts to secure advertisements to keep their broadcasts running 24/7, but overall, financial resources for this purpose have decreased.”

Meanwhile, journalist support organisations have reported that many radio stations across the provinces are facing similar financial issues.

Journalist Safety Committee head Abdul Qadeem Wiar said recent political changes had also affected the media sector, especially the media outlets that relied on financial support from institutions and companies, which were presently struggling.

He added although the government had assisted the media sector financially to some extent, more support was still needed.

He said: “The government has exempted media from taxes, but this is not enough and is insufficient. Moreover, organisations working in the media sector, whether domestic or international, should strive to provide support. Last year, we assisted 40 radio stations with financial aid to help solve some of their problems.”

Another member of the Journalists’ Council, HafizullahBarkazi, shares a similar view.

He recalled in the past, foreign organisations and companies’ financial support had kept media outlets operational. But now they are faced with financial difficulties.

He said: “Based on the reports we have, many private radio stations in various provinces are facing these challenges, and our efforts are underway to set up a fund for journalist support, with its statutes already completed. God willing, it will become operational, with support from the government and businesses.”

In addition to Dost Radio, several other FM radio stations in Nangarhar are also grappling with economic issues.

sa/mud