BBC Monitoring

Text of report by Afghan independent Tolo TV, part of the Moby Media Group, on 2 October

[Presenter] The National Radio and TV [RTA, state-owned national broadcaster] has been detached from the framework of Information and Culture Ministry.

The decision was announced at the two-day meeting of the joint commission of both chambers of parliament. The Religious and Cultural Affairs Committee of Parliament, says that, from now on, the RTA will operate in the framework of the government as an independent institution.

[Correspondent] A number of journalists term the decision as a positive step and say that RTA will to some extent become a public institution rather than a publicity tool of the government.

[Fahim Dashty, spokesman for National Journalists' Union of Afghanistan] If the idea is to turn the RTA into a public service body, it will prove a big change in the quality of the RTA's performance. It means the RTA will be changed from a government publicity tool to a source or a language of the nation and people.

[Correspondent] T! he head of Religious and Cultural Affairs Committee of Wolasi Jerga [Lower house] said that decisions were also made in today's session, by the joint commission of both chambers of parliament, on number of issues related to Media Law which the two chambers of parliament had difference of opinion.

[Haji Mohammad Mohaqeq, head of Religious and Cultural Affairs Committee of Parliament] We have so far not signed the draft law. We have only made such a decision. The draft bill will be signed and presented to president's office. It will become a law after its endorsement by the president.

[Correspondent] The Media Law was approved by Wolasi Jerga [lower house] a few months ago and then was sent to Meshrano Jerga [upper house]. This chamber approved it but with some amendments. This gave rise to differences between the both chambers.

Source: Tolo TV, Kabul, in Dari 1400 gmt 2 Oct 07