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Thursday, April 14, 2011

In Afghanistan, Journalism Grows Along With Challenges

A man, unseen, reads an Afghan newspaper at a newsstand in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP)

A man, unseen, reads an Afghan newspaper at a newsstand in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP)

From suicide bombs to military strategy, we hear news about Afghanistan almost every day, but we don’t learn much about how news is reported in Afghanistan.

Vanessa Gezari has worked in Afghanistan for almost ten years and has watched a burgeoning media develop. She provides us with a rare look at the unique political and cultural challenges faced by Afghan journalists.

We welcome comments from all of our listeners. Post below. Please stay on topic and be civil. Comments may be moderated by us, but you are solely responsible for the content of your comments.

  • Matt Love

    Listening to NPR is always good for a laugh. Your guest talked about journalists in Afghanistan encountering troubles because they had to talk to the Taliban as part of their job. Wow, why do they have to do it? You don’t have to. The only people you ever talk to are government pr flacks, and former government employees now shilling for this or that “think” tank. I’m hearing and example of that RIGHT NOW on Talk Of The Nation, but it’s the norm for all programs. I enjoyed the guest patting herself (and you) on the back by saying western reporters have a laser-like focus on the facts. What you have, as you and I both know, is a laser-like focus on telling the story that your governmental and corporate bosses want you to tell. Congratulations! If Orwell weren’t already dead, I’m sure a short time with NPR would do him in very quickly.

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