Revealing the Truth and Transparency of Assistance: UN and Local Media Partnership in Afghanistan

The United Nations is committed to delivering crucial services, fostering economic opportunities, promoting gender equality, safeguarding human rights, and providing humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. As the UN intensified its support for the Afghan population, mis-disinformation and unfounded criticisms about the organization began to circulate. In today's digital era, false information can rapidly propagate, leading to confusion and eroding trust. The United Nations Resident Coordination Office in Afghanistan recognized the importance of countering false narratives and embarked on joint field missions with local media and journalists to highlight the impact of the UN’s work on the daily lives of Afghan people.

Afghanistan has a population of approximately 43 million, with less than half actively engaging on social media platforms. Given that much of the information regarding UN programs is disseminated online, connecting with the broader Afghan people presents a considerable challenge. However, nearly every household in Afghanistan possesses a television or, at the very least, a radio. Recognizing this media landscape, the UN Resident Coordination Office in Afghanistan made a strategic decision to collaborate with local radio and television stations. This partnership involved conducting joint field visits to diverse UN project sites, facilitating direct access for media representatives and journalists to interact with beneficiaries of UN assistance. Consequently, this approach ensures the accurate, precise, and factual transmission of information about UN activities to the community through various media channels.

In early November, many Afghans returning from Pakistan found themselves in dire circumstances, further exacerbating the humanitarian challenges within Afghanistan. UN agencies coordinated and facilitated media visits to the border region to heighten the awareness of humanitarian services for the returnees. A total of 10 local media outlets actively participated in this field visit, obtaining direct access to better understand the UN's humanitarian efforts. Concurrently, local media such as Tolo News, Ariana News, Pajhwok Afghan News, and Kilid Media gained direct access to first-hand information, concrete facts, and pertinent figures. This access enabled them to portray an authentic depiction of the substantial humanitarian support extended to returnees, with a particular focus on women and children who constitute 80 Percent of the returnee caseload.

The Power of Media Collaboration

“It was my first joint field mission with the United Nations dedicated to compiling a report tailored for my local audiences,” expressed a journalist from Balkh, a Northern province of Afghanistan.

Reflecting on the experience, one of his journalist colleagues remarked “This opportunity offered a unique glimpse into project sites, enabling us to report firsthand on the tangible impact of the UN's humanitarian services. Such coordinated efforts are invaluable for fostering improved access to information, and we hope for continued collaboration in the future."

The United Nations in Afghanistan is committed to upholding transparency and accountability in its assistance endeavors, aiming to cultivate a responsible media landscape and generate a constructive influence on the lives of the Afghan people. Ensuring access to verified and reliable information is a fundamental right, and collaborative efforts with the media play a pivotal role in fortifying public perception while mitigating the dissemination of mis-and disinformation.

Such coordinated initiatives are crucial in promoting an environment where accurate information prevails, empowering beneficiaries to tell their own story as well as the Afghan community with factual insights to foster trust in humanitarian efforts.