KABUL (Pajhwok): Timely access to accurate and official information can play an important role in preventing the spread of rumours and misinformation.
However, journalists in some cases face delays or difficulties in obtaining information, which can create an environment for unverified narratives to spread.
World Access to Information Day is observed annually on 28 September. UNESCO designated the day in 2015 and it was first observed in 2016. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) also recognised 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information in 2019.
What do journalists say?
Sodaba Haidari, a Salam Watandar Radio reporter, said journalists’ access to information had improved compared with the past and most government institutions now have designated spokespersons. However, some departments still provide journalists with incomplete information or no information at all, while selective responses are sometimes given.
She noted that delays in receiving official information had sometimes prevented her from completing and publishing her reports on time.
“There have been days when I have worked on a report from morning until evening and collected all the necessary information, but because the government did not respond to our questions, my report was not published,” she explained.
Haidari added that the absence of timely official information could influence public opinion and create an environment for rumours to spread.
She suggested that government departments provide the information required by the media on time and hold regular press conferences at least once every three months.
Mohammad Bashir, a TOLOnews reporter, also said journalists still face restrictions on access to information and that the situation has negatively affected media work.
He explained that restrictions on access to information force journalists to abandon reporting on some issues, while the absence of official information leaves people more exposed to rumours and misinformation.
Bashir called for the adoption of a media law, the appointment of qualified personnel in the public relations and media departments of government institutions, greater cooperation between the media and the government, and the removal of existing restrictions on access to information.
Qamaruddin Poya Aziz, a freelance journalist in Jawzjan, said access to official information had generally improved compared with the past, but some departments still respond late, particularly when journalists need accurate and immediate information about an incident.
He noted that delays in providing information had made the news-gathering process difficult and, in the absence of official information, created more room for rumours to spread on social media.
Poya recalled a security incident last year in which, according to him, official information was not shared with journalists in time after an individual was killed by unidentified armed men.
He added that various rumours and reports were subsequently circulated by media outlets outside the country and on social media.
He stressed the need for a clear mechanism for responding to journalists, the appointment of active spokespersons and the provision of accurate and timely information.
He also urged journalists to verify information through reliable sources before publishing reports.
Naveed Bahar, a reporter for a private media outlet, said access to information had improved to some extent compared with the early years of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), but restrictions still exist in some cases.
He noted that journalists had repeatedly contacted spokespersons to obtain information but received no response. According to him, some spokespersons provide journalists only with the information they want to share and are unwilling to give in-person interviews or answer journalists’ questions.
Bahar added that delays in obtaining information made it difficult for journalists to distinguish facts from rumours, particularly during security incidents.
He stressed that an access-to-information law, the appointment of professional staff in government press departments and greater coordination between journalists and spokespersons were important for improving the situation.
Journalists’ support body: Access to information better than before
Qadeemyar, an official at the Afghan Journalists and Media Support Organisation, said access to information had improved compared with previous years and many government departments now have spokespersons.
He noted that the deputy spokesman and the chief spokesman of the IEA also respond to journalists’ questions to a large extent. However, some spokespersons respond late due to a lack of experience or expertise, or because of caution in providing information.
He added that some government departments do not have spokespersons or lack sufficient experience in dealing with the media, which causes delays in providing information.
Qadeemyar stressed that government officials had also recognised the importance of providing information on time, as the absence of official information creates greater room for rumours and misinformation, particularly online.
He called for training spokespersons, appointing professional staff in press departments and improving coordination between the media and government institutions.
He emphasised that providing accurate and timely information should be a priority for government departments.
Situation gradually improving: MoIC
Khabib Ghufran, spokesman for the Ministry of Information and Culture (MoIC), said the ministry had held meetings in the capital and provinces to improve coordination and address journalists’ problems regarding access to information, covering 12 provinces so far.
He explained that the meetings aim to hear journalists’ concerns and urge government departments to provide the information required by the media in a timely and appropriate manner.
Ghufran added that despite existing problems, access to information was gradually improving and that MoIC and other departments were working to ensure that the information required by the media was provided as soon as possible.
Regarding rumours, he said government departments, as official sources, sought to make responsible statements within their areas of authority and, when unexpected incidents occurred, provide necessary explanations after gathering details.
He noted that the expansion of social media had turned the spread of misinformation into a general challenge, and MoIC was working through awareness programmes to encourage people to use reliable and credible sources.
Ghufran also said that efforts were being made to build the capacity of spokespersons and improve coordination between the media and officials. He expressed hope that the existing problems concerning access to information would gradually decrease as the process continued.
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