Three-Day Capacity-Building Seminar for Provincial Information Officials and Journalists Opens in Kabul

on Tuesday, 12 Jumada al-Awwal 1448 AH a three-day capacity-building seminar for provincial information officials, managers of periodicals and Bakhtar News Agency, and journalists from across Afghanistan began, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul. Organized by the Deputy Ministry for Publications Affairs of the Ministry of Information and Culture, the seminar focuses on strengthening professional capacities, improving media operations and enhancing coordination with journalists and local media outlets.

The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Information and Culture Sheikh Sher Ahmad Haqqani, Deputy Minister for Publications Affairs Mawlawi Muhajir Farahi, the Ministry’s central directors, writers and lecturers.

Addressing the opening session, Sheikh Sher Ahmad Haqqani welcomed the seminar, saying that such programmes provide opportunities to share experiences and improve media work. He also spoke about ideological and psychological warfare, stating that the country’s adversaries had resorted to these tactics. He emphasized the responsibility of media officials to counter false and misleading propaganda and accurately report the achievements of the Islamic system.

Haqqani said people trusted original news sources because they were reliable and accountable, identifying press officials within government institutions as key sources of credible information.

He urged participants to perform their duties with accuracy, sincerity and honesty in accordance with the Islamic Emirate’s media policy. He also stressed the importance of effective coordination with local authorities and ministries, understanding their responsibilities and countering adversarial propaganda. In addition, he called on press officials to use appropriate language and quality content in their news reports.

Deputy Minister for Publications Affairs Mawlawi Muhajir Farahi highlighted the importance of the media in the modern era, describing it as one of the important pillars of a state. He said adversaries sought to confuse public opinion by spreading fabricated and inaccurate news and propaganda, adding that countering such material was a responsibility of media professionals.

Farahi urged provincial information officials to maintain close cooperation and effective coordination with journalists, managers of local media outlets in their respective provinces, and government institutions.

Bakhtar News Agency Director Mawlawi Ehsanullah Hassan discussed the responsibilities of provincial information officials and the agency’s provincial managers. He stressed the need for information officials and Bakhtar News Agency’s provincial press managers to make greater efforts to improve media operations.

During the second session, prominent Afghan writer Qari Abdul Sattar Saeed delivered a comprehensive presentation on editorial writing, media language, academic and research topics, media-related subjects, journalistic standards and news reporting.

Later, Mawlawi Safiullah Raed, Director of Mass Media Oversight at the Deputy Ministry for Publications Affairs, outlined the key responsibilities of provincial information officials. He also explained licensing requirements for visual, audio and print media, as well as the work of the Deputy Ministry’s commissions, including the Book Evaluation Commission, the Commission for Investigating Media Complaints and Violations, and the Commission for the Reform of Signage and Advertising Boards.

The Director also provided information on journalists’ identification cards and the timely submission of news and reports, assuring participants that efforts would be made to address their concerns.

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24 oct 2026