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USAID Supports Kabul's First Private Radio Station - Arman FM
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2003-077
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2003
Despite more than 70 years of radio broadcasting in Afghanistan, no private, commercial radio station has ever existed. The primary station in Kabul was the government-run Radio Afghanistan, broadcasting on AM and FM. Various international broadcasters, including the Voice of America, Radio Free Afghanistan, and the BBC broadcast on FM in Kabul.
In late 2002, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $228,922 and the logistics necessary to Moby Capital Brothers to jump start Kabul's first private, independent FM radio station, Arman FM. Moby Capital matched USAID's funds and was able to begin broadcasting April 16, 2003.
By May 2003, Arman FM was airing 24 hours a day to all of Kabul province. Within a few weeks surveys undertaken by another USAID partner indicated an 80 percent listenership. Arman FM is now receiving more than 5,000 letters and calls per week.
"The establishment of this station was a priority for us. Reconstruction in our country can only occur through the private sector, and this station is a reflection of Afghanistan's fast developing private sector," said Saad Mohseni of Arman FM.
The station currently has 25 staff members, including eight women, who trained at organizations such as Internews as part of a $6 million USAID support program for media development in Afghanistan. The majority of the shows are hosted by women disc jockeys who exchange in general day-to-day banter with men on the air. This is a significant step forward for Afghanistan. Under the former rule of the Taliban, women were not allowed to work, go to school, speak on the radio or show their faces on the television.
Arman FM's initial focus has been to gain listenership with music and entertainment programming in response to listener demands. In the coming months the station will increase news and information programming to better inform the public.
In an effort to involve more fundamentalist audiences, the station brought in well-respected Afghans, such as Qazi Khaled, an ex-judge who is well versed in Islam. He will be one of the key station on-air hosts.
"In addition to providing our nation with a new voice, our radio station is also able to produce shows and advertisements and to record new artists," said Mohseni.
Since October of 2001 USAID has provided more than $834 million for Afghanistan's infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, government and humanitarian needs. Approximately $6 million has gone to support media development in the country.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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