Problematics of journalist training

Although journalist training has already improved and expanded considerably, there are still many shortcomings. Firstly, communication studies and research work do not exist in Afghanistan. There are no specialist journals or academic networks in the country or abroad. Secondly, academic training in journalism does not contain a practical component, so the focus is solely on theory. This contrasts starkly to journalism schools, which lack theoretical training components and concentrate on practice. Besides, the textbooks used are not up to date with the latest academic information. Lecturers also need better training to be able to teach theory to students.

Interview with the Afghan lecturer Hazrat Bahar

Journalists should be trained to place events in a social context as well as having the technical skills for media production. To this end, practical training is essential. Moreover, journalists in Afghanistan lack mediation skills, which are particularly important in developing countries and where the work of journalists as mediators has great potential. For instance, they can mediate between different ethnic groups, between state and society, and between people in rural and urban areas. So, one thing is certain: to sustain the success story of its media boom, Afghanistan needs its own culture of journalism, which corresponds to its social, political and cultural conditions. This can only be made possible through a sound knowledge of communication studies that provides research data and reflections on the media system and journalism. 

Interview with the Afghan journalism student Shabo Achundsada