Afghanistan is facing a difficult historical war / Media people should participate in the media jihad

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Kabul: The webinar “Media and Islamic and National Responsibility; The Reality of Information in the War of Narratives” will be held this Sunday afternoon, March 16, on the occasion of; The second anniversary of the terrorist bombing at the AVA news agency office and Tebyan Center in Mazar-e-Sharif was celebrated on 16th of March, the 23rd anniversary of the establishment of AVA news agency, and 27th of March, Journalist Day in Afghanistan, by the Afghan Voice Agency (AVA).

Speaking at the webinar, Hojjatoleslam Walmuslimin Seyed Issa Hosseini Mazari emphasized the importance of the media’s responsibility in the current sensitive situation and called the main war in Afghanistan a war of narratives.

In his speech, Hosseini Mazari stated that Afghanistan is engaged in a dangerous and historic war, the nature of which is not military and weapons, but media and narrative. He said: “International, regional and domestic enemies, working together, are trying to present a false and distorted image of the situation in Afghanistan and put pressure on the people and the current government.”

The head of AVA news agency criticized the media’s negative portrayals in the last three and a half years and emphasized that these narratives do not correspond to the realities in Afghanistan. He added: "If someone personally travels to Afghanistan and visits different cities, they will witness extensive progress in various fields." Referring to the government's achievements, Hosseini Mazari emphasized that significant progress has been made in the security sector. Also, in the field of construction and infrastructure projects, thousands of government and public benefit projects have been started and put into operation. He also pointed to serious measures in the fight against moral, financial and administrative corruption, collecting addicts and reducing the problem of begging in cities, and said: "The graph of corruption has decreased significantly and this process will continue until corruption is completely eradicated." Emphasizing the role of independent and committed media in reflecting the realities of Afghanistan and demanding that committed journalists stand up against the war of narratives, Hosseini Mazari strongly criticized the incorrect and contradictory narratives of foreign media about the situation in Afghanistan. He emphasized that the enemies are trying to weaken the people and the government by creating a false image of Afghanistan.

The head of the Tebyan Center noted: “In the media and virtual space, Afghanistan has been portrayed as if it has become a hell and an uninhabitable swamp. This is the same war of narratives that the enemy media has been following intensely since the beginning of the Islamic Emirate’s rule and continues to do so.”

Hosseini Mazari added that the enemies of Afghanistan did not imagine that an independent government would be formed in Afghanistan after the US withdrawal and NATO’s defeat. He said: “They expected that after their withdrawal, civil wars would begin and the country would face deep crises. But they never predicted that an independent government, without dependence on the East and the West and without receiving foreign aid, would be able to govern the country and take fundamental steps towards progress.”

The head of the Afghan Voice News Agency (AVA) pointed to one of Afghanistan’s important achievements in 2024 and said: “One of the wonders of Afghanistan is that the Afghan currency is recognized as the most reliable currency in the world. This is an achievement that is commendable in the region and the world.”

Hosseini Mazari emphasized that the enemies of Afghanistan, in addition to intelligence activities and some terrorist acts, have focused most of their efforts on the media war.

According to this media official, the enemies have entered the war of narratives with all their might because they know that they can change the mindset of the people and put pressure on the Afghan government through the media. In the last 45 years, the country has faced numerous crises, but the war of narratives that is currently underway is unprecedented and very effective. This issue doubles the responsibility of the domestic media from a religious and national perspective.”

He emphasized that the Afghan media must reflect the realities of the country accurately with awareness and planning and not allow the enemy’s narratives to influence public opinion.

Emphasizing the role of the domestic media in enlightening public opinion, Hosseini Mazari called on them to develop appropriate strategies to counter propaganda attacks. He said: “The Afghan media that is present in the field must design new programs to accurately narrate the situation in the country. Even if they cannot completely neutralize this propaganda war, they must at least influence the awareness of the Afghan people.”

He added that the people’s awareness of the achievements of the last three and a half years will make them stand by the Islamic Emirate and defend the sovereignty of Afghanistan more than ever. According to him, if the people of Afghanistan know that important progress has been made in the country, no regional or international power can harm our growth, independence, and national sovereignty.

He said: Those who are abroad should return to Afghanistan and take part in this media jihad. But if they cannot return, they should help domestic media from abroad and stand by media that defend the territorial integrity, religious and national interests of the country.

The head of oVA News Agency, pointing out that the question may be raised that there are restrictions on the media in Afghanistan and that the Islamic Emirate does not allow the media to operate freely and creates problems, so it is not possible to return?! He also said: No restrictions have been imposed on the media and what is sometimes felt as a restriction is mostly due to the propaganda of the enemies.

Hosseini Mazari continued with the reduction in the number of media in Afghanistan, stating that this reduction is mainly due to economic and political reasons. He explained: “Many media were dependent on the government during the republic, and with the fall of the republic, these media also fell. Others belonged to jihadist parties and political organizations that were closed down with the fall of the republic.”

He added that some media outlets were affiliated with foreign embassies and Western projects, but after the embassies left and the projects ended, these media outlets also inevitably stopped their activities.

Hosseini Mazari also pointed to a group of media outlets that produced anti-Islamic and vulgar content and were against the indigenous culture and customs of Afghanistan. He said: This group of media outlets that operated against the national interests and culture of Afghanistan are unable to continue operating in the current circumstances.

He emphasized that in every country, observing some red lines is essential to maintaining security and moral principles, and if the media outlets cross these lines, the government will naturally prevent them.

Referring to the two red lines of religion and Sharia, as well as national interests, the head of the Tebyan Center called on domestic media outlets to work with awareness and responsibility to protect Islamic principles and the national interests of Afghanistan.

He said: The media must regulate their activities based on Islamic principles and standards and should not act contrary to Islamic law. The media must also work to support the national interests of Afghanistan and should not act against it.

Hosseini Mazari pointed to the positive experiences of the Afghan Voice News Agency (AVA) over the past three and a half years and added that the media has acted in full accordance with these two principles. He explained: “AVA News Agency has not only worked in the field of religion and belief, but has also worked to strengthen religious and national foundations.”

The head of AVA News Agency called on media members to help their country and people in the war of narratives, saying that such an opportunity is unique in the history of Afghanistan. He clarified: “If we do not help our country in this war of narratives and do not work for the authority of our society, we will not have such an opportunity again in history.”

He further emphasized that Afghanistan is currently under an independent government that is neither dependent on the East nor the West. He considered this situation an exceptional opportunity that should be exploited. He called on those with deep political thought and awareness to understand this opportunity and use their full potential to strengthen the religious, religious and national foundations of Afghanistan.

Referring to the significant achievements of Afghanistan in recent years and the fact that the country’s progress continues, Hosseini Mazari said: Today, things are going well in Afghanistan and significant achievements have been made. This process continues, and those who expect this path to weaken or slow down are living in dreams and fantasies; because such a thing will never come true.

He called on Afghan citizens inside the country, as well as in neighboring countries and other parts of the world, to take action for the growth and strengthening of the country. He emphasized that there are problems in Afghanistan, but the progress has been much better than during the republican era.

The head of the Tebyan Center noted: “There are problems in all areas, but the progress is much better than during the republican era. "In these three and a half years, plans and programs have been implemented that had not been realized in this way for the people of Afghanistan not only in the past 20 years, but also in the past 45 years." At the end of his speech, he referred to the anniversary of the martyrdom of journalists in Mazar-e-Sharif and also the cultural martyrs in the terrorist incident on 10 March 1401 in the assembly hall of the offices of Tebyan Center and Ava News Agency, and offered condolences to their families. He also congratulated all media people on the anniversary of the founding of AVA News Agency and all journalists in the country on National Journalist Day.