The Ministry of Information and Culture on Saturday agreed over the creation of a Mass Media Commission and abolition of the Media Complaints Commission inside the Ministry.
The Law on Mass Media was approved by the Lower House of the Afghan Parliament three years ago. The Law states that there should be a Commission that can address the mass media related complaints.
The Ministry of Information and Culture asked all the journalist's support organisations to nominate seven representatives for the creation of the Commission.
The Ministry and various media support organizations have been struggling over the creation of the Commission. The Department of Media Complaints Commission works under the Ministry of Information and Culture.
Afghanistan's Media Watchdog has repeatedly sought for the removal of the Media Complaints Commission from within the ministry. It said that the Commission doesn't follow a legal path as it isn't under the umbrella of the Mass Media Law.
"We want reforms. The complaints of media should be heard by a Commission which has legal sanctity and not by a Commission that is working inside the Ministry of Information and Culture," Head of NAI, Media Watchdog, Sediqullah Tawhidi said.
Afghan Information and Culture Minister Sayed Makhdom Rahin believes that two articles of the Law aren't proper and needs further discussion, post which amendments will be made.
"Dear Minister, seven members should be selected and the Commission should start its work till the two articles of the Law are rectified," Head of Complaints Commission of the Senate, Zalmai Zabuli said.
"I will soon invite all the members of media and journalist's support organisations and let them select seven members for the Commission," the Information and Culture Minister, Sayed Makhdom Rahin said.
Meanwhile, it was approved that two members of the organisation who are working as journalists should introduce themselves to the High Commission of Media, the Commission which is currently functioning.