InfoAnda - Afghanistan: Illiterate, insecure but lots of TV

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

1 year on, China stays silent on missing lawyer | 4 February 2010
Privacy risk from ads in apps rising: security firm | | 9 July 2012
Corey Haim dies of overdose | 11 March 2010

Oil wavers on economic data from Commerce | 31 January 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Afghanistan: Illiterate, insecure but lots of TV

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Asia Pacific World Afghanistan: Illiterate, insecure but lots of TV AFP - Wednesday, November 25 Send IM Story Print Ramin Mustafa (R) 1 TV's sales manager and production director Siobhan Berry during an interview in Kabul on November 7. Afghanistan's people may lack security, literacy and a decent standard of living but they have no shortage of television stations. KABUL (AFP) - – Afghanistan's people may lack security, literacy and a decent standard of living but they have no shortage of television stations. The airwaves are set to become even more crowded next month when 1 TV, with a mission "to uplift the nation," becomes the latest of about 20 stations based in the capital Kabul. The television industry has boomed in Afghanistan, a country of more than 26 million people, since the overthrow by US-led forces eight years ago of the Taliban regime, which banned TV as un-Islamic. Even though a Western-backed government runs the country and a wide range of private media voices exist, television stations have faced pressure from Islamic clerics, backed by conservative elements in the government, who object to entertainment programmes they deem too liberal. Television news presenters have been detained. "The authorities don't really know the role of the media here in Afghanistan," says Ramin Mustafa, 26, 1 TV's sales manager. "We believe in freedom of speech," adds the station's production director, Siobhan Berry, 34, a Briton who worked in television elsewhere in Asia before joining 1 TV seven months ago to prepare for its launch on December 1. "This station is professional, extremely professional," Berry said. "We wanted to make a difference, wanted to give something to the Afghan people, which is superior quality programming." Mustafa, who sports a ponytail and gave up medical school to pursue an interest in the media, said 1 TV aims to live up to its name and within six months become the leading television station in Afghanistan. That is a lofty goal, said Saad Mohseni, a director of Moby Group which operates the country's number one station, Tolo television. The station broke ground in the post-Taliban era by appealing to the country's youthful population with pop music, Indian soap operas and its wildy-popular "Afghan Star" show. In a country where many women are still hidden behind burqas, Tolo gave women public exposure. A recent national survey showed the station has a 56 percent market share -- "enormous given the level of competition we face," Mohseni said. He also attributes Tolo's success to its news and current affairs department. "I think we have a lot of credibility. We're not beholden to any political party," said Mohseni, whose family five years ago set up Tolo with American funding after their return from Australia. The Aiina channel, in contrast, is owned by Abdul Rashid Dostum, a former warlord who fought for various sides over the past three decades and whose militiamen were notorious for cruelty. Dostum's station promotes his battle exploits and shows pictures of him on horseback chasing the Taliban. Another narrowly-focused channel, Tamadon, is owned by a leading Shiite cleric who gives himself a lot of airtime to preach, lobby for Islamic laws and criticize the West. The new 1 TV promises more varied fare, from cartoons to locally produced dramas and game shows. There will also be dubbed serials from India, Turkey and the West, along with "unbiased" news, Berry said. The channel is owned by Fahim Hashimy, an entrepreneur in his mid-twenties who has invested millions of dollars in the venture, Berry and Mustafa said. "The market is very competitive and probably cannot handle so many media outlets," Mohseni said. A lot of channels have unsuccessfully challenged for market leadership, he said, and Tolo has survived despite battles with conservative authorities. Last year the station refused to stop broadcasting the Indian drama "Tulsi," the most popular soap opera in Afghanistan. Mullahs backed by elements in the government wanted the show and others like it banned for portraying romance and dating, taboo subjects in Afghanistan where almost all marriages are arranged. The conservatives were also unhappy with the show's heavily made-up women who never cover their hair as Afghan women do, and whose saris expose their skin. Female flesh is pixellated out for Afghan viewers. Two other TV stations bowed to an ultimatum from the information and culture ministry but Tolo said withdrawing "Tulsi" would have meant a huge loss in advertising revenue which financed other programmes including hard-hitting and satirical news shows. Another of the Tolo audience's favourites is "Afghan Star," a version of "American Idol" which is in its fifth season and has pushed social boundaries. A woman who participated in the singing show last year went underground after Taliban, mullahs and even her relatives threatened to kill her for breaking tradition. Private broadcasters are engaged in a balancing act between conservative religious circles and the interests of young, trendy Afghans. In March of this year the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) media rights watchdog said two television presenters had been arrested. One from Emroz television was held for a programme apparently offensive to clerics. Another presenter, from Ariana TV, was arrested for interviewing a Taliban spokesman, the watchdog said. Mohseni wishes luck to his new competitors from 1 TV but anyone entering the Afghan market faces a challenge to maintain long-term sustainable output. "The proof is always in the pudding," he said. "We'll see how hard they tackle corruption, warlordism, drugs and other social issues." Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Adam Lambert fallout begins, but album soars Reuters - 1 hour 41 minutes ago 50 Cent poised to self destruct in latest album AFP - 2 hours 4 minutes ago Rare Baudelaire papers up for grabs AFP - 2 hours 27 minutes ago Playboy to outsource publishing to American Media AFP - Wednesday, November 25 Hugh Jackman to star in sci-fi boxing tale AFP - Wednesday, November 25 News Search Top Stories Ireland hit by public sector strike against cuts Severe reactions to swine flu vaccine in Canada Conscious but paralysed; patient's case not unique DR Congo war crimes trial begins at The Hague GM has paid back Opel loans to Germany: Merkel More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended KLM flies world's first "passenger flight on biofuel" Success for Large Hadron Collider as first atom smashed Gold hits record high 1,174 dollars Mankind using Earth's resources at alarming rate Severe reactions to swine flu vaccine in Canada More Most Viewed » Alcohol helps cut heart disease risk for men: study More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Iraq elections face delay
US-TECH Summary
Koenigsegg gives up bid for Saab
Filmed concerts come to iTunes in Live Nation deal
Severe reactions to swine flu vaccine in Canada
Diplomats: Big powers prepare Iran resolution
Conscious but paralysed; patient's case not unique
EU parliament backs greater rights for telecoms, Internet users
EU ends Qualcomm 3G probe after rivals back down
Iraq national vote unlikely in Jan
Google to put ancient Iraq museum collection online
Iran says needs guarantees to ship nuclear fuel
Google explains racist, anti-Semitic search results
Iran frees activist on bail in mass trial
Obama Afghan strategy decision 'within days'
Escort's book describes night with Berlusconi | International |
NY Gov. asks lawmakers to let him cut deficit
Obama promises to 'finish the job' in Afghanistan
Filmed concerts come to iTunes in Live Nation deal | Technology |
Afghan official says 15 ministers face graft probe
Consumer group warns about toy hazards
Google to put ancient Iraq museum collection online | Technology |
Political crisis roils Pakistan as Taliban loom
Minn. man pleads not guilty in Somali terror probe
Wooing of Taliban fighters is dangerous game
NH Clinton campaign hostage taker re-arrested
Strong quake strikes off Tonga: USGS
Taiwan leader presses US on fighter jets
Senator's affair revealed in text message
Indonesia demos demand Yudhoyono quit
Cops: 5 SoCal kids victims of 'ginger' attacks
6.8-magnitude quake rattles Tonga
NYC boy missing for 11 days lived in subways
Hopes fade for Indonesia ferry survivors
7 firefighters injured at Dallas construction site
Bangladesh begins trial of mutineers
Nokia to ax 220 R&D jobs in Japan
Indian authorities file new charges in Satyam scam
EIB, ADB in $660m Pakistan clean energy partnership
Bidders value Unitas' Korea retailer over $260 mln-source
British watchdog fines Nomura £1.75 mln
Kia Motors launches luxury Cadenza sedan
FACTBOX-Pakistan's December-January monetary policy
China, EU to discuss protectionism, climate change
Pakistan stocks end higher; monetary policy awaited
Indonesian minister defends bank bailout
King Kong figurine used in 1930s movie sold in UK
Afghanistan: Illiterate, insecure but lots of TV
Placido Domingo regales Mexico City with free concert
UK poll shows ABBA band people most want to reform | Entertainment |
Paris Pompidou Centre staff prolong strike
Lohan to stay on at Ungaro fashion house, despite criticism | Entertainment |
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
UK poll shows ABBA band people most want to reform
Italians reject proposal to abolish lunch breaks: media
Straight British couple fight for civil partnership
Rio does away with coconuts on beaches
New Map Suggests Mars Once Humid
Rock-star wife details drug mayhem in new book
Residents Receive Wrong Flu Shot
University Team Says "Official" Government Message Really Dangerous Computer Virus
Jeremy Jarvis Publicly Offers Sympathies For Deerfield Beach Boy Set On Fire
Black Friday Shopping Expected To Show Increase
Schwarzenegger Taps Moderate Republican For Lt. Governor
Orlando Theme Park Fined In Accident
Government Links Chinese Drywall U.S. Homes Corrosion
Authorities In Minnesota Charge Eight Americans In Somalia Terrorism Recruitment
Stork Craft Recalls More Than 2 Million Cribs
Leterme to return as Belgian PM Wednesday
Obama vows to 'finish the job' in Afghanistan
Microsoft names new CFO
Australia, Canada approve -Microsoft deal
AFP Somalia journalist wins key press award
EReaders, price war weigh on Barnes, Borders
Iran's leader makes inroads in Latin America
Crew member killed in attack on tanker off Benin | International |
Fed lifts 2010 growth outlook, sees unemployment easing
Facebook changes stock structure but 'no plans to go public'
Iran says needs guarantees to send uranium abroad
Report: Iran lifts ban on popular newspaper
Ireland hit by public sector strike against cuts
US senators urge EC to expedite Oracle-Sun probe
Venezuela opposition and Jews protest Iran visit | International |
World Bank to start agriculture fund with $1.5 billion | International |
Google to digitise Iraq Museum archives: CEO
Prisoner swap could win release of popular leader
Canadian Internet firms to rat out child porn websites
China executes two for tainted milk scandal | International |
British probe reveals lead-up to Iraq war
Iranian leader greeted with military honors in Bolivia
Netanyahu says Hamas prisoner deal may not happen
Twitter age gets mixed reception in sports
Adconion acquires assets of online video site Joost
Malaysian woman tries to reverse Muslim conversion
Privately held Facebook sets up dual-class stock | Technology |
6 more bodies uncovered in Philippine massacre
Mobile Web surge continues in October: Opera | Technology |
China: Climate talks need to set pollution caps
Obama says will "finish the job" in Afghanistan
Khmer Rouge prosecutor says Duch should get 40 years
EReaders, price war weigh on Barnes, Borders | Technology |
2 Chicago officers punished after G-20 photo probe
Four US teens 'wanted for attempted murder' in Japan
Microsoft CFO to leave, look for bigger job | Technology |
First lady wears Naeem Khan gown to state dinner
Thailand tightens sex change laws
LA anti-gang worker gets 12 years for burglary
China mine death toll up to 106: spokesman
SC lawmakers question impeachment for governor
Obama administration will not sign land mine ban
Festival of mass animal sacrifice begins in Nepal
Feds blame low oxygen for Ala. coal mine death
Obama fetes 'indispensable' India
Man pushed by Calif. transit officer charged
Arroyo urged to take action over massacre
LA County leaders back night fire flights
Japan's exports post smallest drop in a year
Taiwan, US to resume trade talks next year: envoy
S.Korea Q3 household credit expands faster
US firm on slapping tariffs on Chinese steel pipes
Seoul shares rises 0.3 pct on chip, retail counters
Donny Osmond dances to victory on Stars finale | Entertainment |
RPT-UPDATE 1-Bidders value Unitas' S.Korea retailer over $260mln
Korea Hot Stocks
Nude photo of Sharon Tate, Roman Polanski set for auction | Entertainment |
Japan posts $9.1 bln trade surplus
Film director Tyler Perry gives $1 million to NAACP | Entertainment |
S.Korean bonds up on U.S. lead, buyback plan
Twenty-five recordings added to Grammy Hall of Fame | Entertainment |
Seoul shares open higher; LG Household rises
Donny Osmond dances to victory on "Stars" finale
25 recordings inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame
Nielsen's top 20 prime-time programs
Twenty-five recordings added to Grammy Hall of Fame
Film director Tyler Perry gives $1 million to NAACP
Nude photo of Sharon Tate, Roman Polanski set for auction
3 generations of Wyeths to be sold in NYC
King Kong memorabilia sells for 120,000 pounds in London
Chef Paula Deen accidentally hit by charity ham
Israel readying new arms to meet Iran challenge
ABN Amro reports quarterly loss of 1 bln euros
Eleven more bodies found at Philippine massacre site | International |
Iran detains scores of students, rights group says | International |
26 wounded in twin bombs in Iraq shrine city
Mobile Web surge continues in October: Opera
Italian ex-militant ends hunger strike in Brazil
Ton-up Dravid heaps misery on Sri Lanka
Pakistan court charges Mumbai attack suspects | International |
Israel set to declare settlement limits: government sources | International |
ABN Amro Group reports one billion euro loss
Iran's Ahmadinejad in Venezuela on official visit
Prisoner deal hits snag on Hamas demands | International |
Saudi king and Spanish PM discuss Mideast
UK's Brown optimistic on Afghan troop increase | International |
U.S., U.N. present proposals to end Iraq vote impasse | International |
India vigilant but remains vulnerable to attacks | International |
Khmer Rouge jailer expresses excruciating remorse | International |
China expert warns of pandemic flu mutation | International |
LinkedIn co-founder sees IPO likely, but not soon | Technology |
Thai anti-government protest called off
Infineon, Nokia co-operate on next mobile generation | Technology |
Detention of China dissident Liu Xiaobo extended
Hazy conditions disrupt air travel in China
Google to put ancient Iraq museum collection online | Technology |
Chinese police jailed in torture case: state media
The nation's weather
Microsoft CFO to leave, look for bigger job | Technology |
Khmer Rouge jailer expresses "excruciating remorse"
Obama to pardon turkey
Honolulu police posting DUI mug shots on Internet
Japan PM took dubious funds from mother: reports
After Revoking Concession, Conservative Finally Accepts Loss In New York's 23rd District
Wind weighs on battle against Orange County blaze
Judge Ito Gives Up On Constantly Replacing Nameplate
NZ passes relaxed climate change law
Americans search for cheaper Thanksgiving trips
Middle School Kids Suspended For 'Kicking Jews'
Tajiks make world's longest flag record bid
U.S. Not Signing Ban On Landmine, But Is Sending Delegation To Conference
"Cancer of fraud" permeates U.S. healthcare system
Arroyo vows justice as massacre toll hits 52
Toyota Recalls Tens Of Thousands Of Tundra Trucks
Stars, top Dem donors make state dinner guest list
Google Decides Against Removing Photo Of First Lady Edited To Appear As A Monkey
Evening gowns, saris at Obama's first state dinner
Gay Club Files Lawsuit Against Atlanta Police Dept
President Pardons First White House Turkey Wednesday
Impatience with Obama trade policy grows
Obamas Taste Success At First Lavish State Dinner
Obama Plays Dinner Diplomacy; Afghanistan Still Undecided
Shuttle Atlantis leaves space station, headed home
Gold hits record high $1,180 per ounce
S.Korea fin min: private sector leading recovery
Beijing Autos says will reevaluate Saab bid
S.Korea halves ceiling on text messages to fight spam
Chinese banks may need to raise billions: reports
Seoul shares rise 0.3 pct on chip, retail counters
Zoellick warns of asset bubble risks
Indonesia's top detective replaced
Kingsley to play Mogul emperor who built Taj Mahal
Pop star Williams rules out tour over drugs fears
Adam Lambert makes a splash, but risks losing fans | Entertainment |
Peter Jackson has break from big budgets in Lovely Bones | Entertainment |
White House veggies for Obama's big night
Hong Kong director takes on Mulan with real actors
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01