The pen over the sword

Mursal weekly, a magazine for women produced mostly by women, has a weekly circulation of 15,000 and is distributed around the country. Common topics are women’s health, abstinence, and human rights education.

Afghanistan is rated near the bottom of the list of countries in the press freedom index measured by Reporters Without Borders. The country presents tough obstacles for the news media. The Killid Group fights at this media war’s frontline. Publishing magazines and newspapers as well as broadcasting 24-hour radio, the media group wields great influence over public opinion in the country. But the security situation is precarious for individuals who challenge conservative and non-democratic powers. And women journalists are the most affected.

In one of the studios news are broadcasted all over the country. An hourly bulletin gives an update on both domestic and foreign news. Afghanistan is rated near the bottom of the list of countries in the press freedom index measured by Reporters Without Borders. The country presents tough obstacles for the news media. The Killid Group fights at this media war’s frontline. Publishing magazines and newspapers as well as broadcasting 24-hour radio, the media group wields great influence over public opinion in the country. But the security situation is precarious for individuals who challenge conservative and non-democratic powers. And women journalists are the most affected.

In one of the studios news are broadcasted all over the country. An hourly bulletin gives an update on both domestic and foreign news. Afghanistan is rated near the bottom of the list of countries in the press freedom index measured by Reporters Without Borders. The country presents tough obstacles for the news media. The Killid Group fights at this media war’s frontline. Publishing magazines and newspapers as well as broadcasting 24-hour radio, the media group wields great influence over public opinion in the country. But the security situation is precarious for individuals who challenge conservative and non-democratic powers. And women journalists are the most affected.

In one of the studios news are broadcasted all over the country. An hourly bulletin gives an update on both domestic and foreign news. Afghanistan is rated near the bottom of the list of countries in the press freedom index measured by Reporters Without Borders. The country presents tough obstacles for the news media. The Killid Group fights at this media war’s frontline. Publishing magazines and newspapers as well as broadcasting 24-hour radio, the media group wields great influence over public opinion in the country. But the security situation is precarious for individuals who challenge conservative and non-democratic powers. And women journalists are the most affected.

Najiba Ayubi, media director for the Killid Group, receives threats almost daily. In just one day, about a week before she sat for the interview, she received eight threats by phone some of which came from members of the Taliban but also from people with ties to the current government.

Killid Magazine, a publication with great influence over public opinion in the country. It has a weekly circulation of 150,000 and is distributed across Afghanistan making it one of the most important sources of information.

Sulyman Qardash (left) plays music on Killid’s Kabul Radio Rock, a radio station which broadcasts 24 hours a day with a focus on rock music. Sulyman is also a vocalist in the internationally acclaimed Afghan rock band Kabul Dreams.

Sohaila Wida Khamosh has been beaten by the police three times since she began reporting. The Killid Group, where she works, has received threats from the Taliban. A government regarded as corrupt makes it difficult to report on what’s happening in the country. Though the media climate in Afghanistan can seem dire, Khamosh never stops believing. She refuses to give up hope that her country can be reformed. Afghanistan is rated near the bottom of the list of countries in the press freedom index measured by Reporters Without Borders. The country presents tough obstacles for the news media. The Killid Group fights at this media war’s frontline. Publishing magazines and newspapers as well as broadcasting 24-hour radio, the media group wields great influence over public opinion in the country. But the security situation is precarious for individuals who challenge conservative and non-democratic powers. And women journalists are the most affected.

With metropolitan Kabul as her newsbeat, investigative journalist Sohaila Wida Khamosh spends a lot of time on the move. But she avoids public transportation. Because of threats against her and her employer, she never leaves the Killid office without a car and a driver.

Sohaila Wida Khamosh has been beaten by the police three times since she began reporting. The Killid Group, where she works, has received threats from the Taliban. A government regarded as corrupt makes it difficult to report on what’s happening in the country. Though the media climate in Afghanistan can seem dire, Khamosh never stops believing. She refuses to give up hope that her country can be reformed. Afghanistan is rated near the bottom of the list of countries in the press freedom index measured by Reporters Without Borders. The country presents tough obstacles for the news media. The Killid Group fights at this media war’s frontline. Publishing magazines and newspapers as well as broadcasting 24-hour radio, the media group wields great influence over public opinion in the country. But the security situation is precarious for individuals who challenge conservative and non-democratic powers. And women journalists are the most affected.

Sohaila Wida Khamosh talks to the director of the Red Crescent, a homeless shelter for women in Kabul. The workload for Killid Group journalists is high; six interviews a day wouldn’t be unusual. “I have to work as much over time as the stories require to get them finished. I do this trying to reform the country,” says Khamosh.

Sohaila Wida Khamosh talks to the director of the Red Crescent, a homeless shelter for women in Kabul. The workload for Killid Group journalists is high; six interviews a day wouldn’t be unusual. “I have to work as much over time as the stories require to get them finished. I do this trying to reform the country,” says Khamosh.

Sohaila Wida Khamosh has been beaten by the police three times since she began reporting. The Killid Group, where she works, has received threats from the Taliban. A government regarded as corrupt makes it difficult to report on what’s happening in the country. Though the media climate in Afghanistan can seem dire, Khamosh never stops believing. She refuses to give up hope that her country can be reformed. Afghanistan is rated near the bottom of the list of countries in the press freedom index measured by Reporters Without Borders. The country presents tough obstacles for the news media. The Killid Group fights at this media war’s frontline. Publishing magazines and newspapers as well as broadcasting 24-hour radio, the media group wields great influence over public opinion in the country. But the security situation is precarious for individuals who challenge conservative and non-democratic powers. And women journalists are the most affected.

Sohaila Wida Khamosh talks to the director of the Red Crescent, a homeless shelter for women in Kabul. The workload for Killid Group journalists is high; six interviews a day wouldn’t be unusual. “I have to work as much over time as the stories require to get them finished. I do this trying to reform the country,” says Khamosh.

Being a journalist is very difficult according to Sohaila. The Taliban and its supporters aren’t the only groups making the job difficult and sometimes dangerous. Public authorities often also want reporters out of the way, especially in the wake of suicide attacks or other sensitive political matters.

Violence and threats of violence are everyday life for women journalists in Afghanistan. “But it’s not so bad. It is the words that hurt most,” Sohaila Wida Khamosh says.

Violence and threats of violence are everyday life for women journalists in Afghanistan. “But it’s not so bad. It is the words that hurt most,” Sohaila Wida Khamosh says.

Interviewing men is sometimes difficult because of Sohailas gender, and she is sometimes ignored. Meeting women in the field is usually easier.

Sohaila Wida Khamosh has been beaten by the police three times since she began reporting. The Killid Group, where she works, has received threats from the Taliban. A government regarded as corrupt makes it difficult to report on what’s happening in the country. Though the media climate in Afghanistan can seem dire, Khamosh never stops believing. She refuses to give up hope that her country can be reformed. Afghanistan is rated near the bottom of the list of countries in the press freedom index measured by Reporters Without Borders. The country presents tough obstacles for the news media. The Killid Group fights at this media war’s frontline. Publishing magazines and newspapers as well as broadcasting 24-hour radio, the media group wields great influence over public opinion in the country. But the security situation is precarious for individuals who challenge conservative and non-democratic powers. And women journalists are the most affected.

Sohaila Wida Khamosh has been beaten by the police three times since she began reporting. The Killid Group, where she works, has received threats from the Taliban. A government regarded as corrupt makes it difficult to report on what’s happening in the country. Though the media climate in Afghanistan can seem dire, Khamosh never stops believing. She refuses to give up hope that her country can be reformed. Afghanistan is rated near the bottom of the list of countries in the press freedom index measured by Reporters Without Borders. The country presents tough obstacles for the news media. The Killid Group fights at this media war’s frontline. Publishing magazines and newspapers as well as broadcasting 24-hour radio, the media group wields great influence over public opinion in the country. But the security situation is precarious for individuals who challenge conservative and non-democratic powers. And women journalists are the most affected.

Sohaila Wida Khamosh has been beaten by the police three times since she began reporting. The Killid Group, where she works, has received threats from the Taliban. A government regarded as corrupt makes it difficult to report on what’s happening in the country. Though the media climate in Afghanistan can seem dire, Khamosh never stops believing. She refuses to give up hope that her country can be reformed. Afghanistan is rated near the bottom of the list of countries in the press freedom index measured by Reporters Without Borders. The country presents tough obstacles for the news media. The Killid Group fights at this media war’s frontline. Publishing magazines and newspapers as well as broadcasting 24-hour radio, the media group wields great influence over public opinion in the country. But the security situation is precarious for individuals who challenge conservative and non-democratic powers. And women journalists are the most affected.

Sohaila Wida Khamosh has been beaten by the police three times since she began reporting. The Killid Group, where she works, has received threats from the Taliban. A government regarded as corrupt makes it difficult to report on what’s happening in the country. Though the media climate in Afghanistan can seem dire, Khamosh never stops believing. She refuses to give up hope that her country can be reformed. Afghanistan is rated near the bottom of the list of countries in the press freedom index measured by Reporters Without Borders. The country presents tough obstacles for the news media. The Killid Group fights at this media war’s frontline. Publishing magazines and newspapers as well as broadcasting 24-hour radio, the media group wields great influence over public opinion in the country. But the security situation is precarious for individuals who challenge conservative and non-democratic powers. And women journalists are the most affected.

Sohaila meets with children at a homeless shelter in Kabul.

Sohaila meets with children at a homeless shelter in Kabul.

Interviewing men is sometimes difficult because of Sohailas gender, and she is sometimes ignored. Meeting women in the field is usually easier.

Interviewing men is sometimes difficult because of Sohailas gender, and she is sometimes ignored. Meeting women in the field is usually easier.

Sohaila meets with a woman who lived on the streets with her children at a homeless shelter in Kabul.

Sohaila meets with a woman who lived on the streets with her children at a homeless shelter in Kabul.

Because roads are often blocked with military checkpoints and traffic jams, Sohaila spends many hours of her work day in the car with her driver. This makes it difficult for her to stick to her tight schedule.