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| Afghanistan |
| Cable TV ban angers Afghans |
| 2003-02-02 |
| Victory is within our grasp... Battle lines are being drawn in what could be a major confrontation between reformers and conservatives in Afghanistan's transitional government over the question of cable television, and the wider issue of media freedom. Towards the end of January, the supreme court imposed a nationwide ban on cable television in response to an appeal against the silencing last month of a private station in Jalalabad. Chief Justice Mawlawi Fazel Hadi Shinwari said religious leaders and groups had complained that the channels were broadcasting pornographic and anti-Islamic films. He followed this up a day later by calling for a total ban on foreign television and films - including satellite broadcasts and imported video films and CDs - a move that echoed the five-year rule of the hard line Taleban, under which all music, dancing, films and the sale of television sets were banned. And then he wonders why people suggest he consider another line of work... That situation was reversed by President Hamed Karzai, who promised freedom of speech and media, prompting a rush for satellite dishes. In addition, business is booming in Kabul's cinemas as young Afghans - almost exclusively male - flock to watch mainly Indian films packed with action, dancing and music - and often featuring scantily-clad women. Good for Hamid. If Afghans spent more time concentrating on scantily-clad women and less time blowing things up it'd be a better country for it... A spokesman for Karzai told IWPR, "I can't comment on whether or not the President agreed with the supreme court." Apparently he didn't... Shinwari, who earlier provoked controversy by urging a halt to co-education - a move that would require a major overhaul of the country's university system - also attacked what he called the "imposition" of western influence on Afghanistan, which is heavily reliant on foreign assistance after more than two decades of war. "We'll take your money, but don't expect us to fix things so that eventually we don't need it. And don't even expect us to behave like civilized people." Information and culture minister Makhdoom Raheen responded quickly by promising that a new law would be introduced within days to allow cable broadcasters to operate provided they were registered, paid taxes to the government and adhered to a code of self-censorship. Raheen's deputy Abdul Hamid Mubarez told IWPR a few days later, "We are completely opposed to this ruling by the supreme court." "We have drawn up a law on cable television at meetings attended by a representative of the justice ministry, and the bill has been sent there. After it is approved by the cabinet and signed by President Karzai it will be published in the media, and everyone will be able to have cable TV. "Cable and satellite companies broadcast both negative and positive programmes. We should take advantage of the positive ones," he added. It was not clear if there would be any restrictions on broadcasts, and what form these might take. That "change the damned channel" argument carries the grave danger of putting a dent in the nation's Islamic armor. The sight of a few titties — even the modest hint at such found in Bollywood films — could take some of the edge off the young fellers' hankering after jihad. If paradise is available here on earth, why kill yourself? Zalmai, who helps run the now-banned cable channel based in Jalalabad, told IWPR, "A ban such as this is an attack on the independent media, and such decisions run counter to the democratic rule." Let people make their own choices? Islamically unthinkable! "We were operating our station legally, with letters of authorisation from a commission appointed by the Ministry of Information and Culture. We put together our transmissions in such a way that people cannot watch anything immoral, we only carry entertainment and informative programmes. If cable TV is banned the government will have to repay us all the money we have invested in this business." "So shut yer fudge up." The deputy president of the supreme court, Fazl Ahmad Manawi, defended its action. He told IWPR that the move had been supported by Karzai, confirmed that it should be extended to satellite broadcasts, and claimed that the cable operators had no authorisation to run their business. He also said the decision was taken at the request of the public. "Oh, yesss! Save us from the sight of titties! No smooth, tasty thighs for us! Shield my eyes from ladies' buttocks, please!" On the importing of foreign films he took a slightly softer line, saying they should be submitted to censorship by the information and culture ministry before they could be shown. "Cable TV and satellite transmissions should be completely banned. Our countrymen should realise that they are destroying their morals because fornication and obscene acts are shown on them," Manawi said. "Lookitdat, Mahmoud! Y'can see her entire face! What's he gonna do next?... Omigawd! He's gonna... He's gonna... Aghhhh! He's gonna talk to her! They gonna sing a song! I can't sta-a-a-a-and it!" Kanishka, a student at Kabul university, told IWPR, "If the government is doing things like this, the situation can only get worse. Today cable is banned, tomorrow television, the next day radio music. There would be no difference between our government and the Taleban." That seems to be the intention... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #3 "He also said the decision was taken at the request of the public." In fact, ALL THREE of 'em! |
| Posted by: John Anderson 2003-02-02 23:09:58 |
| #2 To me the amazing thing about this story is that Afganistan -- a country that has become synonymous with backwardness and poverty -- actually has cable TV at all. And the great part is, we know they'll get the dish if the govt cable monopoly does not perform, just like here in the states. |
| Posted by: JAB 2003-02-02 21:10:10 |
| #1 ...like, it's OK for us to see the handywork of boomers on the road to Kandahar, but it is not OK to see baby fuel dispensers or reasonable likenesses of them on the telly. Thanks for the explanation, Imam.... |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-02-02 20:03:26 |