During the reign of the taliban, the journalists of Afghanistan could not report freely. But after September 11,2001, this all changed. Led by the US goverment, Afghanistan media now can report freely . They have over 75 televisions stations , 175 radio stations and hundreds of print publications and at least a dozen daily newspapers.
In an article published January 30,2013, in the Huffington Post , an Afghan journalist named, Karokhel helped to launch Pajhwok Afghan News, which is an independent newspaper with backing by USAID.
Karokhel stated, "There is a clear reason for goverment and aid organizations to support Afghan media a burgeoning democratic country not only deserves but needs a functioning and free press." By supporting Afghan media, the US also helps ensure that its policy positions aren't missing from coverage of and debate over the war and continued presence of troops in the country.
Journalists fear that since there isnt a thriving advertising market, if funding is no longer available the media gains maybe reversed. We are all aware of that just a decade ago there was no independent media in Afghanistan.
In a report from BBC in 2012 described the role of donors of media in Afghanistan as "greater than in any country at any time."
The situation looks bleak, it has already caused the closing of one newspaper The Kabul Weekly as a result of financial pressures. It was praised for its independent streak. But televison and radio havea better chance of survival. There is more advertising money in TV and radio.
Afghan journalists say "Iran and Pakistan are looking for opportunities to fund news outlets in Afghanistan presumably to put their own spin on the news."
Should the US and other agencies still provide funding to afghanistan or at least help them to get their business to the point of financially sustainable for the long term? These are the hopes of the media in afghanistan so they dont have to go back to a loss of freedom of the press and speech in Afghanistan.
The media situation in Afghanistan has come very far. Last month, Reporters without Borders awarded the afghanistan paper Hasht-e Subh the 2012 press freedom prize describing the newspaper as "living evidence that freely-reported quality journalism can develop in teh most difficult corners of the planet."
But the question now arises must they go back to media where the taliban once starved people in information or allow Iran and Pakistan to support the media? No one can be sure of their intentions. Lets hope for some other options to this resolve.