Masoud Popalzai: "I am from Afghanistan, where I work for IRIN Radio as a programme producer and trainer. I make radio programmes on humanitarian issues and train journalists at local radio stations in the provinces. Our training programme aims to help Afghan journalists to broadcast the voice of Afghans.

As Afghanistan is a country with a very low rate of literacy, radio is the best tool to raise the public awareness we currently need. More than two decades of conflict have destroyed everything, and several years of displacement and immigration to neighbouring countries denied Afghan youths an education. There are lots of journalists in the capital, Kabul, but most are young Afghans trying to learn a skill, rather than trained professionals.

Being a journalist is very challenging, and encouraging as there is now a degree of freedom of the press. After the years of war, I feel privileged to be an Afghan in Afghanistan, because if you are dynamic and have the potential, you can make a difference. I hope Afghanistan one day becomes self-sufficient, which is the key to any positive change."

? IRIN Radio Road testing the IRIN Radio programmes at the bazaar in Herat

Mohammed Ayaz Ahmadzai: "I am a producer for IRIN Radio and I train journalists. During the conflict in Afghanistan, I went to Pakistan where I studied English and worked to support my family. When I came back I was admitted to Kabul University's Faculty of Journalism. I worked with 'Good Morning Afghanistan,' a free and independent radio programme broadcast in Kabul, before joining IRIN Radio.

We are training male and female journalists in Afghanistan's provinces. At the moment, there are around 27 independent radio stations and 12 government stations across the country. Afghanistan doesn't have many professional journalists, but nowadays more people are working in the media, particularly in the provinces.

The media plays an important role in society. Because of the years of war in Afghanistan, everything has been destroyed, but I hope one day we achieve a media of an international standard. The media in Afghanistan is growing like a new plant, and our journalists are realising day by day what 'freedom of the press' means. Radio is very important and it's via radio that all generations can listen and learn."

[Ends]

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