Ethical Codes in Media Laws Across the History of Journalism in Afghanistan

Abdul Basir Mesbah

doi:10.61194/ijcs.v4i3.963

Authors

Abdul Basir Mesbah Baghlan University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61194/ijcs.v4i3.963

Keywords:

press regulations, press charter, media decree, media law, prohibited publication

Abstract

This study aims to identify the status of professional journalism ethics by conducting a comparative study of four Afghan media laws from 1924 to 2009 within the framework of UNESCO’s international principles, using a qualitative content analysis method. The research examines Afghananistan journalism under the influence of the discourse of religion, political power, and professionalism, with a focus on global journalism principles, in order to highlight the gaps in the reflection of ethical codes between the national and international levels. The findings show that the element of “religion” holds a prominent position as a deterrent factor in all the laws. Based on the results, international ethical codes were minimally observed in the third law, but professionalism after 2001 and with the formation of the Mass Media Law in 2009, with the provision of a definition of a professional journalist and the reflection of many ethical codes advocated by UNESCO, gained attention. Nonetheless, the restrictive presence of religion and the state, as well as the relatively absent elements of peace-orientation, professional integrity, and objectivity in this law, were also observed.

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