Organizers: The Killid Group and IPS-Inter Press Service

The conference slogan, "Media is Development", embodies the ultimate truth that there can be no democracy and participatory development unless the voices of all sectors, including beneficiaries, are reported objectively and accurately, and disseminated on time in all parts of the country. Free and accessible media is a key element in the chain linking policy with the people -- the ultimate beneficiaries of development.

The main objectives of the Afghanistan Media and Civil Society Forum is to reflect on the crucial role played by the media and civil society in the country's efforts to transform from a war-torn country towards the building of a peaceful democracy and to assess the roles these two sectors can play to prevent a regression to conflict. The possibility of Afghanistan regressing is real and could be accentuated in the absence of Afghan-led confidence-building efforts facilitated by the media and civil society.

At present public opinion on the Afghan transition is largely being shaped by powerful foreign mass media which is unable to adequately reflect ground realties. Afghanistan?s complexities, which exist in different localized contexts, requires the development of local content to be relevant and accessible. Moreover diverse ideas, opinions, views and concerns about the country, its past, present and future exist. The media uniquely provides the forum for debate, for the exchange of information and experience and can contribute to the forging of a public consensus on the way ahead, but only if it is able to operate free from fear and political harassment and, in the current absence of donor funding and sufficient advertising revenue, is financially supported in the continuing transition.

The Forum is expected to contribute to the process because it would allow media, civil society, government and donor representatives to discuss each other's role in the process of transforming Afghanistan to a peaceful democracy, which will be disseminated to the general public by the mass media

KABUL, Mar 27 (Pajhwok Afghan News): A two-day international seminar on "Media is Development - Afghanistan Media and Civil Society Forum" will begin here on Wednesday.
Participants of the seminar, jointly organised by The Killid Group (TKG) and Inter-Press Service (IPS) in collaboration with Pajhwok Afghan News, the Centre for International Journalism (CIJ) and Sayara Media and Communications, will discuss the role and contributions of media in preventing the country from slipping into conflict.

The objective of the seminar is to highlight the role played by media and civil society in efforts to support the transformation towards a peaceful democracy and to discuss how they can help to prevent the regression.

Besides parliamentarians and ministers, representatives from around 60 local media and civil society organisations, donor countries and institutions, UNAMA and UNESCO, ISAF/NATO and the coalition will also attend the seminar.

Invitations have also been extended to media and civil society leaders from India, Italy, Japan (JICA), Nepal and Pakistan.

The forum will assess the state of Afghan media and civil society since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001 and highlight current challenges and opportunities and future prospects. "No democracy can work unless the people feel they are driving the process," said Shahir Zahine, chairman of The Killid Group, in a press release issued here on Tuesday.

"Only a responsive and capable media and civil society can facilitate the dialogue needed for deep-rooting democracy, which is the only way to ensure peace and development," he observed.
Quoting Director General of Inter Press Service Mario Lubetkin, the release says Afghans want to be involved in the process of reconstruction and bringing peace to their country.

The organisers believe the only way to involve the people in the transition in the still 'imperfect democracy' is through an independent media that is well-rooted and also has the exposure and expertise to broadcast their reports globally.

Media is Development" seminar begins in Kabul

KABUL, Mar 28 (Pajhwok Afghan News): A two-day international seminar on "Media is Development - Afghanistan Media and Civil Society Forum" begin here on Wednesday.
Besides media and civil society representatives from India, Italy, Japan (JICA), Nepal and Pakistan, some 60 local media and civil society organisations and representatives of donor countries, UNAMA, UNESCO, ISAF/NATO and coalition attended the seminar on the first day.

In his message to the conference, President Hamid Karzai said media had achieved progress despite some problems. Karzai's message was read out by Minister for Information and Culture Abdul Karim Khurram.

He said the emergence of media outlets and the promotion of civil society were pointing to the freedom of expression and promotion of democratic trends in the country. He assured his government continuous support in promotion of media and civil society organisations in Afghanistan.

On this occasion, message from the Italian deputy prime minister was also read out in which he assured his country's support for media and the reconstruction process in Afghanistan.

Message from Director General of IPS Mario Lubetkin was read out by Ricardo Grassi, coordinator of the project.

Participants of the seminar, jointly organised by The Killid Group (TKG) and Inter-Press Service (IPS) in collaboration with Pajhwok Afghan News, the Centre for International Journalism (CIJ) and Sayara Media and Communications, are discussing the role and contributions of media in preventing the country from slipping into conflict.

Role of media, civil society termed vital to rebuilding

KABUL, Mar 29 (Pajhwok Afghan News): The two-day international conference on "Media is Development: Afghanistan Media and Civil Society Forum" concluded here on Thursday.
A joint declaration issued says there can be no restrictions on the constitutional right of Afghan people to information.

The declaration says that there can be no democracy or development unless the voices of all sectors are reported and disseminated and to contribute in the decision-making process.

The participants asked for coordination between the media and civil society and urged the need for improvement in their ability to communicate and support each other.

The two organs, the declaration said, must cooperate and assist each other in collection, articulation and dissemination of information, knowledge and opinions of Afghan society to ensure a stable society as a result of the ongoing reconstruction process.

The participants asked the government, parliament and the international community to recognize the role of civil society and media for promotion of democracy, pluralistic development, good governance and accountability.

The participants suggested the holding of the forum at least once in a year to evaluate progress and discuss ways to address new challenges.

The participants also asked both the Afghan government and the Taliban not to target, kidnap or harass journalists.

In concluding announcement, the participants dedicated the forum to media and civil society workers who lost their lives in Afghanistan and around the world "in their quest to improve the lives of other."

In today's session, the participants discussed the role of civil society. Those who delivered speeches on different topics regarding the civil society included Abdul Salam Rahimi, Halim Fidai, Katrin Faqiri, Vinod Raina, Dr Mohammad Akbar, Mirwais Wardak and Jillani Popal.

Representatives from India, Italy, Nepal and Pakistan and some 60 local media and civil society organisations attended the conference.

The conference was jointly organised by The Killid Group (TKG) and Inter-Press Service (IPS) in collaboration with Pajhwok Afghan News, the Centre for International Journalism (CIJ) and Sayara Media and Communications.