KABUL, March 19, 2019 – March 18 was observed as National Journalists Day in Afghanistan, and government organizations, NGOs, and national associations widely celebrated it.
CHALLENGES The Afghan Sports Journalists Federation decided to celebrate the day by holding a workshop to discuss the challenges, problems and needs of journalists, sports reporters and especially women working in the sports arena. Afghanistan was deadliest country for journalists and media workers in 2018 according to Reporters Without Borders, with a total of 15 killed in violent attacks. Many journalists in remote areas don’t have access to information and are not allowed to cover major tournaments. Also, due to lack of resources, journalists can’t attend international events like the Olympics.
WOMEN IN SPORT Regarding women’s participation in sports and sports journalism, ASJF was asked to organize workshops and trainings for women in the sports media. ASJF president Sayer Zaland promised that just as AIPS, the international body overseeing sports journalists across the globe, has a strong vision to bring more women into sports media and motivate them to take their part in promoting the profession, ASJF will also take the responsibility to train women journalists so that they can in turn raise the voice of women athletes.
MORE WORKSHOPS During the his speech at the workshop, Mr. Zaland added that ASJF will have five national workshops in 2019, where sport journalists will learn about new methods of sports media, covering national and international games, and how to make good stories. Azita Ahmadi one of the participants of the workshop thanked ASJF and asked for the arrangement of such workshops in the future.
CERTIFICATES ASJF vice presidents, Khoshhal Taib and Ibrahim Momand also gave their presentations on media and highlighted some of the problems journalists face while proffering solutions as well. The participants of the workshop were awarded certificates at the end of the day.
