Ayoubi to journalists: Cover public issues impartially

PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): The governor of central Logar province Qari Salahuddin Ayoubi has reaffirmed the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) commitment to supporting the media, stressing journalists must not conceal the truth during incidents and should cover public issues in an impartial manner.

He made these remarks during a meeting with representatives of local media outlets and journalists. He said the media was the “tongue, eyes and ears” of the nation.

He added IEA was striving to provide opportunities for independent media, alongside state-run outlets, to operate across the country, including in Logar, in a way that safeguards Islamic, national and cultural values.

He called on journalists not to hide the truth during events and to report the problems of the people in a neutral way.

Meanwhile, Information and Culture Director Faizullah Johari said that since the re-establishment of IEA, the province has witnessed notable achievements in the field of media and journalism, and they were working to resolve all challenges faced by journalists and media outlets.

Speaking on behalf of Logar’s journalists and media, Khan Wali Ahmadzai, a member of the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, said that although no incidents of violence against journalists have been recorded in Logar in recent years, there was still a need for the provincial authorities and the Department of Information and Culture to provide facilities for journalists in terms of access to information, coordination and capacity-building.

Separately, Noorullah Stanikzai, head of a private radio station in Logar, said that local media in the province had made significant progress compared to the past, but they still faced economic challenges.

According to available information, there are currently seven radio stations, one print outlet and one online media organisation operating in Logar, including one state-run media outlet.

kk/ma