Afghan journalists share their fundamental issues at Delhi conference

The 36th International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) brought together journalists from across the globe, including Afghanistan, to discuss pressing issues in the media.

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The ongoing four-day IAWRT Biennial Conference of the India chapter gave an opportunity to Afghanistan to present the challenges faced by the journalists in their country.

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The conference witnessed the participation of 100 women participants from radio, TV and print journalism besides documentary filmmakers from Afghanistan, Australia, Bhutan, Cameroon, Canada, Egypt, India, Kenya, Myanmar, Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, UK and the US.

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The IWART Biennial Conference is aimed at highlighting and bringing the core issues at the forefront which the women in community radio, print and broadcast journalism, documentary film making, politics, activism and the arts face.

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Najiba Ayubi, an eminent journalist from Afghanistan, shared the current challenges, which mediapersons are facing.

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Najiba said the women take up journalism as a profession despite the prevailing security challenges in war-torn Afghanistan.

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She said although it's been three decades in fear but still they are working seamlessly for their nation.

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"In Afghanistan, the journalists are working in very insecure areas because there is lack of security and every minute some threats are coming to the journalists and every citizen in Afghanistan. It is very hard to work as a journalist in Afghanistan because nobody wants to give proper information to the journalists and access to information is a very big issue and the journalists always work under some pressure," she added.

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Najiba feels this conference is an avenue for female journalists to explore and exchange ideas to excel in their respective jobs. At present, censorship is increasing day by day in Afghanistan and freedom of speech is degrading.

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"This conference I think it is very effective because journalists around the world come together. They share their information, sharing their experience and it is very effective to use and to learn from others," she said.

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Najiba's incredible and courageous work in South Asia creates a resonance of inspiration for others. She has earned lot of accolades.

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At present, she is the director of the Killid group - an independent, Afghan public media group made of eight local radios and two weekly nationwide magazines.