Paiwastoon, the first TV channel to be opened in Uruzgan, was launched on Saturday. Officials at the ceremony said they are committed to working for freedom of speech despite threats and challenges to journalism in Afghanistan. 

“The media is the eyes of society. It will not be in favor of society if these eyes are not operational,” said Ahmad Zaland, the director of information and culture of Uruzgan.  

“Our responsibility is to raise the people's voice through television,” said Najibullah Latif, the head of the journalists’ committee in Uruzgan. 

Uruzgan residents said there are six radio stations in the province, but now they are excited for the first TV network. 

“Programs that bring happiness to the people should be aired,” a resident of Uruzgan said.  

“We have forgotten our traditions … they should be revived for us,” a resident of Uruzgan said. 

Meanwhile, a newspaper named Rah-e-Mandegar had an opening ceremony in Kabul on Sunday. The employees of this newspaper are from Mandegar newspaper, which stopped operations during the coronavirus pandemic in the country. 

“We wanted to save the brand of a credible newspaper. This is an independent media outlet in terms of administration and structure,” said Nazari Paryani, the editor-in-chief and owner of the newspaper. 

At least 10 media workers and civil society activists have been killed in targeted attacks over the last three months. Six of them were journalists. 

“Under the current circumstances in Afghanistan, it is hard to work in media; therefore, I distanced myself from visual media,” said Robina Royesh, a reporter at Rah-e-Mandegar newspaper. 

According to figures by the media commission, 65 new media outlets have gone silent since last March. The media outlets include 41 newspapers, 19 radio stations, 11 TV stations and four news agencies.