March 15, 2023
KABUL: Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) honored three journalists with Afghanistan 2023 Journalist of the Year awards in a ceremony marking national journalist day.
On the 10th round of the annual competition for journalist of the year awards, the jury panel selected the three award winners, who include ToloNews reporter Mohammad Yousuf Hanif, Afghanistan International TV reporter Mohammad Arif Yaqoubi, and the Killid Radio reporter Marjan Wafa.
The winners were recognized on March 15, during a conference in Brussels, Belgium, attended by Afghan journalists and representatives of international media support organizations.
The Conference of Afghan Journalists was organized to assess the situation of journalists and media in Afghanistan. Participants discussed perspectives and opportunities for improving the current media situation in Afghanistan.
Speaking on behalf of the jury panel of the 10th round of competition, Somaia Valizada said that despite a significant reduction in the number of media outlets and increased restrictions against media activities, over 40 reporters from local, national, and international media (TV, radio, print, and online) had nominated their reports and media products for this year’s competition.
Valizada added that the jury panel thoroughly reviewed the nominated applications. A report from ToloNews reporter Mohammad Yousuf Hanif on the dire situation of people affected by the earthquakes in Paktika province, and a documentary by Afghanistan International TV reporter Mohammad Arif Yahqoubi about the illegal migration of an Afghan photographer and filmmaker to Australia, received high scores in panel’s final assessment.
She indicated that given the extremely difficult working conditions for women journalists and the increased restrictions they are facing, the jury panel decided to conduct a special assessment of their nominated works, in which the Killid Radio reporter Marjan Wafa received the highest score.
According to the jury’s decision, the three journalists were jointly recognized as the winners of the 2023 Afghanistan Journalist of the Year Award in recognition of their incredible work.
The annual competition of the Afghanistan Journalist of the Year Award has been held since 2014 to commend the professionalism of Afghan journalists and to encourage them to adhere to internationally applied journalism standards in their coverage of events inside Afghanistan.
Since the launch of the Award in 2014, 17 Afghan journalists including five women from various media outlets (e.g. BBC Afghanistan, Ariana News, Hasht e Subh Daily, Etilaatroz Daily, ToloNews, AFP, Pajhwok Afghan News, Afghanistan International TV, and the Killid Radio) have received the prestigious awards.