Media Important Part of Life, Danish

Kabul (BNA) Afghanistan Second Vice President, Mohammad Sarwar Danesh said the National Unity Government (NUG) was firmly committed to protect freedom of press in Afghanistan, his office said in a statement the other day. Asking media outlets to work and cooperate in line with the national interests of Afghanistan and added that “In view of current circumstances, media is something more than the fourth pillar of democracy.” Media has changed into one of the most important parts of life for humans in the world. Without media, social and individual lives are not possible,” Danish said at the Peace, Media and Good Governance Institute’s inaugural ceremony. He added: “The government of Afghanistan is committed to protecting freedom of press and media organizations should conduct their basic responsibility which is to provide information, but privacy and national interests must be protected by media outlets in the country.” Meanwhile, the First Lady Rula Ghani called on foreign countries not to use Afghanistan as a battleground for their proxy wars. “We call on foreign countries to put an end to their economic and arms race in Afghanistan, because the people of Afghanistan have paid a lot for it,” the first lady said. Participants at the gathering meanwhile welcomed President Ashraf Ghani’s reforms agenda. “We believe that media has major capacity in the field of bringing reforms, good governance and neutral reporting; therefore, they [media outlets] should be protected and it is government’s duty,” said Kumail Baig, head of the institute. According to him, the institute will conduct research into a number of important fields – including the peace process between government and armed opponents, the statement said.