TKG-IPS seminar on role of media, civil society

Kabul, March 27, 2007 (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, 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.