Muslim Shirzad Declares: “Neutrality is Dishonorable”

Baztab-e Naw News Agency (BNN) officially launched today with the aim of reflecting the realities of Afghanistan, the region, and the world. Tamim Ataee, heading the news agency, stated its primary objective as truth, transparency, and social responsibility in reporting. The ceremony, which instilled hope for the future of media in Afghanistan, was graced by a wide array of cultural figures, media professionals, artists, and civil activists, including Ariana Saeed, Moein Bardia, and Zuhur Mazhar from the Sokhan and Refah Cultural Association in Istanbul, lending it a special significance. Earlier, Ariana Saeed had also described the establishment of this news agency as a noble and vital step for amplifying the silent voices of Afghan women and children.

Muslim Shirzad: Critiquing Neutrality and Advocating for Truthfulness

Muslim Shirzad, a journalist and analyst of Afghan affairs, in his impactful speech, stated, “I am a blunt and forthright person,” and strongly criticized the concept of “neutrality” in media. He questioned, “Is neutrality not progress? I agree point by point with those who do not consider neutrality as progress. We should not refrain from stating facts simply because ‘the English don’t say it that way.'”

Shirzad further explicitly declared: “Today, in the world, there is no such thing as a ‘neutral program.’ ‘Truthfulness’ exists. You can look at international media like CNN; their slogan is not neutrality. Amanpour (Christiane Amanpour) says: ‘I am not neutral; I am a truth-seeker.'” Emphasizing this stance, he added: “One should not retreat; if one believes in something, one must have a strong viewpoint. Neutrality is dishonorable.”

Personal Experiences and Professional Principles:

Shirzad recounted parts of his professional experiences, referring to a one-and-a-half-hour interview with “Mr. Rezaei” in 2009 or 2010, which, due to his insistence on independence and candor, led to him leaving his position at TOLO TV. He stated, “Finally, I said, ‘Chief Sayed! I am an independent person, very blunt and straightforward, and I speak my mind very clearly. If you are pleased, by all means; if not, I will not work here anymore.'” Despite feeling discouraged, he continued his work, stating his determination to pursue independent media activities by saying he would “start from scratch and bring myself to 100% success.”

The Afghan analyst also alluded to issues related to corruption in the Election Commission in 2014 involving figures such as “Torson,” “Amirkhil,” and “Dawadzai,” implicitly suggesting that “Muslim Shirzad should be a manager,” indicating his view on the need for strong and committed leadership. He added, “These issues must be raised because no one wants to accept them.”

The Voice of the People and Media Responsibility:

Referring to his travels to 24 provinces of Afghanistan and hearing the “voice of the people,” Muslim Shirzad described his greatest honor as “being the voice of the people.” Recalling a painful memory of watching a documentary where “two girls are crying with all their aspirations buried,” he reiterated the media’s responsibility to reflect these realities. He asserted, “We must move forward to break the suffocating silence and the situation that has been created in Afghanistan. We must be truthful.”

He concluded his speech by emphasizing that “our soft power and our voice are far more influential and powerful than the Kalashnikovs of those who incline towards violence.” He offered a message of hope, saying, “Never lose hope; if one door closes, a hundred others will open for you.”