大象传媒

Afghanistan's media plays a critical role in the cultural and political life of the nation. But there are limited opportunities for dialogue between the public and the authorities.

That's why 大象传媒 Media Action joined forces with the 大象传媒 Afghan Service and Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) to make the debate programme Open Jirga (jirga means 'assembly' in Afghan languages).

The show gives panellists and audience members a platform to discuss issues of national importance during the country鈥檚 crucial period of transition towards parliamentary rule.

Recorded in both Dari and Pashto, men and women from Afghanistan's diverse communities put their questions to national leaders on Open Jirga. Hosted by well-known 大象传媒 journalist, Daud Junbish, topics of discussion have included; the role of women in public life, the rise in extremism, peace process negotiations and mass migration. Panellists have included politicians, sportspeople, activists and presidents.

We record the show in several of the country鈥檚 provinces. This gives people unable to travel to Kabul, whether for security reasons or because of cultural constraints, a chance to take part. It also gives viewers and listeners an insight into the concerns of people living in other regions, an important step towards fostering a sense of national unity.

In Kandahar province, historically a site of insurgency and insecurity, we recorded an episode on what it means to be 鈥楢fghan鈥� in front of the tomb of Ahamd Shah Durrani, the founder of modern Afghanistan.

Research among audience members in 2015 found that Open Jirga was the only TV programme in Afghanistan in which ordinary people could question officials. Several male and female respondents said Open Jirga differed from other programmes because women, in particular, were given the opportunity to question officials directly.

As one female listener said, 鈥淲e watch [Open Jirga] so we can solve our daily issues. For example they discuss a problem in their programme and they try to solve it too, we should learn from them and solve our own problems.鈥�

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