Photo exhibition: The faces and voices of Afghan media workers
IMS organises a photo exhibition with portraits of media workers in Afghanistan, each fighting in their own way for press freedom
When: 3 – 4 May 2016, opening reception at 12:45 pm
Where: Entrance Ábor, Finlandia Hall, Mannerheimintie 13 e, 0100 Helsinki, Finland
The photo exhibition is part of the global mark of World Press Freedom Day in Helsinki 2 – 4 May, 2016.
The increase in press freedom has been celebrated as one of the main achievements in post-Taliban Afghanistan. From a complete ban on photography and a virtual information blackout, a vibrant media sector flourished.
However, the tide is changing in Afghanistan. Carrying a camera is again more dangerous than carrying a Kalashnikov. The media sector has been hit by a barrage of bans and restrictions by disgruntled authorities and the police – and media workers have once again become legitimate targets of the Taliban.
The Afghan Journalist Safety Committee established by International Media Support remains the only country-wide safety and protection mechanism for Afghan journalists. The locally-run Committee has assisted some 600 Afghan journalists in distress since it was set up in 2009. Assistance spans from legal support to emergency hotlines and relocation of journalists.
The exhibition
Afghan society has had a long and fraught relationship with both images and journalism. Historically the region arguably has an image deficit. Photojournalism training has since 2010 been an integral part of International Media Support’s work to promote freedom of expression in Afghanistan.
The “Faces and voices of Afghan media workers” exhibition includes portraits of media workers in Afghanistan, each fighting in their own way for press freedom. Their portraits were taken by photo journalism trainer and photographer Lars Schmidt. The exhibition also includes photos of the realities of the Afghan media environment taken by photographers that took part in IMS’ photo journalism courses.
