Media performs very important functions in the society. In modern democratic nation‐state system, it is considered as the fourth pillar of the state whose functions are indispensable for the smooth and effective functioning of a governing system. It is the dire need of today’s globalized people to be aware of their surroundings. Therefore everyone gets information through easy accessible sources of media. Mainly mass media is involved in providing latest information about the whole world, national, and local events. Both print and electronic media provides an important function of influencing public opinion, informing with recent developments on all issues, surveillance, determining the political agenda, criticism, awareness, and social & moral development of society. Media performs crucial functions in a society, but sometime its role may turn negative.
A free press is the symbol of free people. An independent, well-informed press is a powerful check on arbitrary governments and irresponsible administrators. For newspapers are agents of the public, which bring to the notice of the people acts of injustice or oppression, or male-administration that would otherwise have remained hidden away from public knowledge? They exercise a constant vigilance on the rulers, which is salutary for all.
Media is often considered cutting edge weapon for shaping opinion, perception. On the basis of information it provides, public forms opinion and perception. When media publish or telecast any information it becomes the general opinion of the people about some issue. Today media are used as global opinion maker; both electronic and print media are purchased to shape the perception and opinion of the people. Millions of dollars across the world are spent on the media campaigns, publicities and advertisements Therefore media are called as a mirror of society.
The constitutional provision and 2004 media law prohibit censorship, nevertheless the Afghan government didn’t give up an apparent attempt at railroading through a less than media friendly new Mass Media Law without consultation. The new law’s draft ascribed Media Supreme Council that would set editorial policy would be chaired by the Minister of Information and Culture, an alarming direction that would let the government restricts media activities, especially those of news channels. The draft intended to restrict the ability of media to debate or report on areas such as national security and religion. The government could hand down punishment for any report or talk show, which it might not like, using national security as an excuse. The draft law still awaits the parliamentary approval. It is feared that after 2014 pull out, a greater degree of restraints might be enacted in the new media law. Lifting all such restraints enable media bodies function without fear and intimidation.
It’s ridiculous and unsound to compare the functioning of media at present, with the one found during the Taliban regime given democracy claims to be the champion of fundamental human rights, where the right to expression comes preliminary. People caught with a television were subject to imprisonment or flogging. They unknowingly turned down the worth of vital organ of society, without which a society renders to be impaired and dysfunctional.
The outgoing democratic government, despite providing a comparatively better working environment and restricted degree of liberty, Afghan media have been a frequent object of repression, subjugation and harsh treatments by state and anti-state elements, serving a preliminary reason, impacting their quality services. Many cases of reasonless and flawed accusation and allegations are charged against certain media outlets and journalists following their imprisonment and coercion to flee and seek asylum in different countries.
Previously,the American journalist Rosenberg was expelled following his most recent story, published, alleging that some Afghan officials were threatening to seize power in the country if the impasse in the recent presidential elections was not resolved. Publishing such reports depict the level of freedom a media body should enjoy, nonetheless, such stances are deemed as the plot of conspiracy against the stability of the country. It should be learned states are anchored on a strong foundation of constitutional and democratic institutions; any baseless assumption or proclamation dare not jolting it, provided every deed is executed for the collective interest of the state.
The order of expulsion of the US journalist received loud condemnation from across the world and concerned organizations. The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Ján Kubiš said “the attempts, aimed at preventing a media representative from freely carrying out his duties, demonstrate a disturbing disregard for freedom of expression,”. The stance of government reflected the increasing level of volume against journalists. A safety group of Afghan journalists, says it has documented a 60% increase in cases of violence against journalists during the first six months of this year.
The Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC) says 63% cases of violence were committed by the associates of the Afghan government, including Afghan security forces, 11.8% of the Taliban and 8.8% by “warlords and commanders”. The remaining cases, meanwhile, could not be attributed to any side.
Another Afghan media group, Nai – Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan, which works to empower independent media and promote freedom of expression, says in its report that an increase in violence against journalists in the past seven months has worried organizations which support journalists.
The functioning of media bodies, foreign or local, becoming targets for reprisal for their work as journalists might get worsened. The governments must come forth sincerely, addressing the boundless challenges Afghan media faces and must not let this very functional organ of society, beleaguer.
It should be kept in mind, the press is the defender and the protector of the rights and liberties of the people and the government is facilitator. But it can perform this role only if it enjoys freedom in publishing news, views and reporting given there is no restriction on its functioning. It can function effectively only in an open society, where decisions are made in a democratic manner.