Fast Facts RFE/RL's Radio Azadi is the leading media outlet in Afghanistan today, reaching more than 60% of the Afghan population across the country with its radio and internet programs. Languages: Pashto, Dari Coverage: 12 hours daily Established: 1985 -1993, resumed 2002 Distribution: Radio (FM, MW/AM, SW, and Satellite), Internet (www.azadiradio.org) Locations: Prague headquarters, Kabul bureau Staff: 30 (Prague), 53 (Kabul), approximately 25 stringers throughout the country, three in Pakistan and one in Iran.

Media Environment

• Freedom House Freedom of the Press Index, 2012: Not Free (164th/197)
• Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, 2012: 150th/179
• Journalists in Afghanistan are under constant threat of violence and intimidation from warlords, the Taliban, and other extremists. Attempts have also been made to tighten media control in the name of “respect for Islamic values.”
• The number of private television and radio stations has grown in Afghanistan, leading to increased competition among media operating in the country.

Highlights

• Research shows that Radio Azadi is the most popular and trusted radio in Afghanistan. It has gained the status of a public radio. Besides being a leading source of news, its programs provide reliable information on the war on terror and extremism, corruption, problems with warlords, narcotics, women’s status, human rights and other major socio-economic issues.
• Radio Azadi has the highest audience engagement via mobile and SMS in Afghanistan. Working with a local mobile company, Radio Azadi’s free SMS news alerts reach over 450,000 subscribers twice a day. In addition, people can send free of charge their SMS and photos. As a result, Radio Azadi receives over 3500 messages a month from Citizen Journalists.
• Approximately 49 percent of the Afghan population is between the ages of 25-45. “New Thoughts” and the “Colors of Life” are two feature programs that profile youth are profiled and discuss all issues concerning young people of Afghanistan.
• Radio Azadi promotes interaction with audience, and call-in shows and roundtables are central to its programming. As a result, despite decades of violence, it has established a culture of debate and discussion among its listeners on major national and international issues. Through its unique program “In Search of Loved Ones,” Radio Azadi helps reunite families who have lost relatives to violence and war.
• Radio Azadi has pioneered the cause of domestic abuse and women rights. Just recently, Radio Azadi was first to report on 16 year-old Sahargul, who was tortured by her in-laws. Her story was reported in national and international media. Sahargul is free, in a shelter receiving education. In Kabul, an Internet café for girls has been named after her.
• In the run-up to Afghanistan’s presidential elections in 2009, Radio Azadi’s Akbar Ayazi hosted President Hamid Karzai and two of his leading contenders in Afghanistan’s first-ever televised presidential debate to feature an incumbent president.

Updated: 27 June 2012

Population
35.3 million (World Bank estimate, 2011)

Most Common Languages:
Dari, Pashto, Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi

Press Freedom Index (Freedom House):
Not Free, ranked 153 out of 196 (2013)

Press Freedom Index (RSF):
128 out of 179 (2013)

Corruption Index (Transparency Int.):
174 out of 178 (2012)

Global Peace Index (IES):
157 out of 158 (2012)

Human Rights Watch:
Report on Afghanistan (2013)

Amnesty International:
Afghanistan Report (2012)