14:10/09:03:2010

The Joint Commission of Afghan Media, Security Departments, and Journalist Unions presided over by the Minister of Information and Culture Mr. Sayed Makhdom Raheen concluded its three-day consultative meeting on Monday after adopting the following accord: All Afghan audio, visual, electronic and print media are strongly obliged to observe the following:

•  In accordance with Article 47, Paragraph 7, of Afghan Mass Media Law, the broadcast of disturbing pictures of terrorist attacks and of their victims should be avoided.

•  Broadcasting the pictures of security forces during operations against terrorists, in case of leading to disclosure of the methods of the operations, must of be avoided.

•  Utmost professional accuracy should be applied in covering news and events related to terrorist activities.

•  The Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Interior, and the National Directorate of Security will notify all related departments upon the adopted accord. The Ministry of Information and Culture will officially issue the adopted points to all Afghan Media outlets for implementation.

Following the terrorist attacks on Shar-e-Naw of Kabul , which left many dead and injured including Indian citizens, the Afghan security departments tried to impose a ban on the live coverage of such attacks but the move was rejected by Afghan media and journalists. With the new agreement between the Afghan media and the security departments of the country, the initial ban was declared null and void.
Source: Good Morning Afghanistan