KHOST CITY - The quality of work of electronic and pictorial media outlets lack balance and quality, residents of southeastern Khost province complain.
Khalil Jan Gurbazwal, an inhabitant of the province, told Pajhwok Afghan News although local radio stations had many listeners, their broadcasts did not serve any purpose effectively.
“Most of people listen to radio stations but their quality remains very low, but they air programmes that cannot be listened along with family,” the resident alleged..
Bismillah Arman, a civil society activist, said non-professional individuals were working for most media outlets in the province on the one hand and had little understanding of social norms and cultural values on the other.
“Inexperienced young boys are working for media organisations to develop relations with girls,” the activist said in a lighter vein, while commenting on the question of performance
Dilawar, a tribal elder, also told Pajhwok that mostly green individuals were working for the broadcast media in Khost. At times, he alleged, the media personnel violated core journalistic ethics and tended to slight personalities.
Saifullah Khosti, a freelance journalist and writer, acknowledged public complaints regarding the poor quality of broadcast media.
The below-par performance of these media outlets is linked to the hiring of non-professional individuals, he believed, suggesting the appointment of qualified journalists.
The appointment of workers, familiar with local traditions and fundamental professional ethics, would help restore the credibility of these organisations, he hoped.
Currently 14 radios, including Radio Television of Afghanistan, four private TV channels and magazines are operating in Khost.
Sharifullah Sarwari, owner of the newly-established Azmon Radio, claimed they were doing their bit to air fruitful programmes on various issues of public importance.
Hawa Radio head Ayub Yaad insisted the mushroom growth of media outlets was in the interest of the community. But most of the organisations did not pursue their goals and had thus lost people’s trust, he said.
Information and Culture Director Mohammad Anwar Zahid confirmed receiving complaints about the work of the local broadcast media. But they could not take final decisions, he explained.
To address the issue, Zahid said, they had organised short-term workshops for media workers to improve their understanding of journalistic obligations.
Saifullah Hayat, head of Mediotic and Journalist Protection Committee in the province, said they were working on plans to boost the capacity of local journalists. (Pajhwok)