Reading this article “Afghanistan: TV Stations Ordered To Stop Broadcasting ‘Un-Islamic’ Content” by Farangis Najibullah
on the RFE/RL website one might think the Taliban are back:
The Afghan government has ordered independent television stations in Kabul to stop broadcasting programs deemed “un-Islamic” or that “undermine Afghan culture.” (…)
And the so-called Committee on the Fight Against Drugs and Moral Corruption caused a stir in the local media by introducing a package of proposals to be discussed in parliament as possible amendments to existing laws:
Among other issues, the committee suggests outlawing the consumption of alcohol, banning both men and women from dancing in public, and preventing television stations from airing “controversial” films and programs. The lawmakers also want to clarify under what circumstances and conditions female and male athletes should be allowed to train together.
Some of them suggest dancing should be banned altogether as a profession for women.
Dancing in public should be banned? Is that what our soldiers are fighting for?
But there is still hope:
Many ordinary Afghans say they don’t have too many options for fun and leisure, and that banning their favorite television serials deprives them of what little enjoyment they have in their war-torn, impoverished country. They say if the country’s leaders want to fight un-Islamic and dangerous elements, they should tackle more concrete issues, such as young girls being sold by their families to settle debts or family feuds.
And who helps spreading this hope?
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Anne Applebaum describes it in her article: “Radio Free Europe? Does that still exist?”
When I was at the RFE office in Prague several weeks ago, the Afghans there showed me the enormous, old-fashioned canvas mailbags that arrive every week from Afghanistan, full of letters thanking the presenters, offering arguments, making comments — and asking why there isn’t more service, more coverage, more than 12 hours of daily service from Radio Free Afghanistan.
But:
But if no one remembers to support it, politically and financially, Radio Free Europe won’t exist much longer.
(RFE now gets $75 million in congressional funding compared to $230 million at its peak.)
Oh and by the way: I want it back for Germany, too. I mean the LEFT has entered three West-German state parliaments this year and according to a recent opinion poll only 60 % of Germans have faith in democracy!
“Germans Losing Faith in Political, Economic Systems”, dw-world, April 22, 2008