“Accurate Reporting Could Result in Increased Public Trust in Justice and Judicial Institutions”
“Accurate Reporting Could Result in Increased Public Trust in Justice and Judicial Institutions”
Saranpooh Mohammad Farid Hamidi, Attorney General (AG) of Afghanistan, made this statement in a consultative meeting conducted between Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the media. The event conducted on February 1, 2017, in the Vocational Training Institute’s hall included participation of the Attorney General, representatives of different media groups, and some other authorities of AGO. AG Hamidi held the meeting to facilitate better coordination while reporting.
Supporting Freedom of Speech and Press
Attorney General Hamidi talked about the important role of media concerning implementation of laws. According to the AG, the media acts as a confident wing for the justice and judicial institutions in Afghanistan. Mr. Hamidi considers the role journalists play in the challenging situation of Afghanistan as an effort towards ensuring justice. With respect to freedom of speech, he added, “I, as the responsible person for this office, the implementer of the law, support the position and rights of the media.”
Informed Citizens
Mr. Hamidi insisted on the important role of media to ensure justice and raising awareness. The Attorney General believes that providing legal awareness to the citizens can be helpful in implementing the enforced laws. According to law, people have the right to access information and media is the only medium through which people can achieve this right. He continued, “Rule of Law is not possible by availability of justice and judicial institutions unless the citizens are aware of the law. Raising awareness of the people will result in a growing number of citizens who abide by the law.”
The Attorney General believes the removal of Afghanistan from the list of world’s most corrupted countries is a result of the media’s efforts. He added that one of the reasons for this action is the broadcast of public trials by the media.”
Safety of Journalists
Attorney General Hamidi also discussed the investigation of violence against journalists. He promised reinvestigation of violence cases against journalists that happened in the past. The AG will share the official outcome of AGO and the Afghan Journalists’ Safety Committee’s joint activities with the media. He added, “We will deal with suspects of the cases strictly and according to the law. Media is a good partner to us and we will cooperate with them on the basis of the law.”
Jamshid Rasooly, the AGO Spokesman, announced by facilitating precise cooperation with media for accurate reporting is one of the main goals of AGO working with the media. Mr. Rasooli mentioned some other goals of cooperation including identifying duties and jurisdictions of the Attorney General’s Office, identifying types of crimes, rights of the suspects, convicts and criminals, sharing information on the performance of AGO given the rights of the convicts as well as the suspects, access to Information Law, and precautionary measures. The Spokesman added, “Sometimes there are legal limitations during the process of reporting. We should handle such issues in a way that is in compliance with the right of Access to Information Law on one hand and the right of the suspect is considered on the other hand.”
Protection of Human Dignity
While talking about the rights of the suspects, convicts and reporting, Dr. Ghulam Haider Alama, Director of AGO Vocational Trainings Institute, said, “The demands of media and the Attorney General’s Office should be made in accordance with the law. Protection of human dignity is one of the duties of Attorney General’s Office. The media should respect this right as well.”
Considering Individuals’ Social Prestige
Hikmatullah Naseri, Director of Counter Corruption Prosecution Office, discussed considering the individual’s social prestige issue in the meeting. He believes that during the process of reporting, consideration of the dignity of people is important. Reporting cases such as violence against women, crimes against internal and external security, administrative corruption crimes, and organized crime cases can be problematic during the investigation. He said, “Dignity of individuals must be considered during investigation of such cases. For example, cases of violence have a direct link with the families’ social status. In the early stages of reporting such cases, there can be a compromise to the family’s honor.”
Representatives from media and civil society organizations were invited to the AGO High Council earlier. This was the first time that the AGO conducted a consultative meeting with the media.