KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – In advance of my trip here, I received a copy of the Afghan election commissions “code of conduct,” to be signed by journalists who want to be accredited to cover the upcoming vote. It’s a pretty interesting read. Among other things, journalists are to “avoid printing, broadcasting and publishing of scandalous advertisements and disgrace reports about [a] candidate’s personality or behavior which could affect the election results.”
So: No mentioning of corruption, then? Better not mention the civil war, either. The code also directs that journalists “refrain from publishing and broadcasting of rumors and gossips.”
Of course, Afghanistan’s upcoming presidential election is potentially much more volatile than any Broward County recount. And the code’s rule number one makes clear: Reporters are barred from releasing reports that might incite violence or tribal conflict.
That rule makes sense, to a point, but it’s also troubling. Interpreted broadly enough, this “code of conduct” could be used as a rather sweeping tool to close down or restrict media outlets that publish critical reports. Just sayin'.
UPDATE: Bob Dietz of the Committee to Protect Journalists is in Kabul, and he recently spoke with Jahid Mohseni, CEO of the Moby Group, owner of Afghanistan's popular Tolo TV. Mohseni notes that harassment and intimidation against the media is on the rise. "There are continuing problems with the insurgents, but a lot of our problems end up being with government," Mohseni says. "... They've charged us under the national security legislation for airing India serials--that sort of law is designed to go after the guys trying to blow up the country. The bottom line is the government feels it can do whatever it wants without real accountability."
[PHOTO: Nathan Hodge]
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