BBC Monitoring

Text of article entitled: "Media should stop broadcasting un-Islamic programmes" published by independent Afghan newspaper Rah-e Nejat on 26 September

Yesterday [25 September], media owners were summoned by the religious and cultural affairs commission of the Wolesi Jerga and the parliament members urged the media owners to stop broadcasting un-Islamic programmes, in particular Indian serials.

The media owners, who were summoned for not changing their programmes during the holy month of Ramadan, said that the reason for broadcasting Indian serials and un-Islamic programmes was the lack of budget to produce their own programmes. They urged the parliament and the government to take decisive measures at the current level on the media.

Shikib Hazrati, head of Ariana TV, said that because of the lack of professionals at the televisions, they need longer time to produce programmes, training programmes and Afghan serials in line with people's traditions and stop broadcasting Indian and un-Islamic programmes.

Meanwhile, Asadollah Ematyar, a member of the religious and cultural affairs commission of the parliament, said that the stations should broadcast their programmes in accordance with Islam, the constitution and the media law.

He added that the nation and the government of Afghanistan were dissatisfied and upset about the broadcast of un-Islamic programmes or Indian serials that show Indian culture and traditions. They say this is against the law.

Member of the religious and cultural affairs commission of the Wolesi Jerga added that the TV channels, the media, should stop broadcasting un-Islamic programmes and in particular Indian serials and songs at least during the month of Ramadan. It should be said that the new media law proposed by the parliament and the Meshrano Jerga has not been approved by the president yet. Under the new media law, the electronic media [TV and Radio] should broadcast programmes, serials, foreign and domestic films in line with Islam and its traditions. Otherwise, they will be summoned by the commission deali! ng with the media.

Source: Rah-e Nejat, Kabul in Dari 26 Sep 07 pp 1,5