The law provides for free, independent and pluralistic media.

Since early 2007, Afghan MPs, the international community and civil society activists have lobbied for a media law that guarantees free and independent media and prepares the ground for the emergence of public service broadcasting.

On 22 May 2007, Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of the Afghan parliament, passed the new law after a month of discussions.

The law provides the framework for a free, independent and pluralistic media in Afghanistan. It also secures the legal protection of journalists, and the right of reply.

Private media, regulated by a nine member independent commission, has been granted the right to operate freely within the provisions of the law.

The law contains 53 articles, which include new provisions on independent regulation and governance, public service media and right of reply, inspired by a version of the media law drafted by the BBC World Service Trust, Deutsche Welle and Canal France International.

Non-political

The Trust’s country director for Afghanistan, Shirazuddin Siddiqi, helped MPs and politicians by translating and interpreting new concepts related to independent, free and pluralistic media.

He worked to ensure that the debate remained focused on media regulations, rather than becoming politicised or being hijacked by other agendas.

Although there are still a few inconsistencies and outstanding issues that need to be addressed, the new law is a hugely important step for the future of public service broadcasting in Afghanistan.

It is now up to Mishrano Jirga, the upper house, to endorse the law. Ultimately, it will need President Karzai’s approval.

Public service

A responsible national broadcaster, catering for the diverse educational, entertainment and information needs of audiences across the country, is an essential component of building democracy in Afghanistan.

The Trust is involved in a transformational change project with the state broadcaster Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA). Under the new law, RTA will become an independent public broadcaster.

RTA will be governed by an independent, seven person strong commission and thus will no longer be under government control.

It is hoped that new law will stimulate international funding for the transformation of RTA.

Over the course of the next five years, the Trust is anticipating significant further funding from the European Commission to assist RTA in its journey to becoming a robust and accountable public service broadcaster.

The passing of the new law was an essential development for the future success of this challenging project.