Analysts echo Karzai claim some TVs fueling prejudice

A number of analysts say President Hamid Karzai is right in his claim that some TV channels have been involved in spreading linguistic and ethnic differences in Afghanstan.

At a conference “Development of Salang Pass for next 50 years,” in Kabul a day earlier Karzai said those involved in spreading differences among Afghan communities should be dealt in accordance with the law. He called on media outlets, particularly television channels, to avoid fueling such prejudices and instead work to strengthening national unity.

Ahmad Saeed, an analyst, said the president was hinting at Jwandon Television when he made his latest remarks about media organizations. He told Pajhwok Afghan News the government was yet to frame any law tighting grip over media organizations and that was why such malicious drive could not be controlled.

Afghanistan's Regional Studies Centre head, Abdul Ghafoor Lewal, said President Hamid Karzai was right in castigating some media outlets spreading bigotry, who said the policies of Tolo Television were based on spreading linguistic and ethnic fanaticism. He alleged Tolo Television was being backed by foreign and neighbouring countries such as Iran, Pakistan and other western states, which was creating disarray and polarization among Afghans.

He said Afghans were now aware and no one could create gulf in their ranks and unity. Mohammad Hassan Haqyar, writer and analyst, while supporting President Karzai’s viewpoint, said the president should have raised the issue years ago to rein in the media outlets.

Not only Tolo, Noorin, Arman, Rah-e-Farda and other media outlets, but some political and cultural organizations, Wolesi Jirga members, Cabinet ministers and officials were also involved in discrimination among Afghans and fuelling prejudices.