In recent years, several Afghani journalists, writers, activists and publicly elected leaders have experienced serious threats. Some have been harassed to silence, others have been killed. The Norwegian Afghanistan Committee and Norwegian PEN jointly invite to a seminar that addresses the difficult working conditions for working conditions and independent media in Afghanistan. Waheed Warasta, author and leader of Afghan PEN, is the keynote speaker. (27-MAY-08)

Based on Norwegian PEN´s press release and invitation, issued today, this article has been translated, written and prepared for publication here by HRH F / Niels Jacob Harbitz.

Warasta´s introduction will address the ways in which Afghani authorities and the security situation in the country represent particular challenges for the free media. Jawad Ludin, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Norway, has served as president Karzai´s media spokesperson and knows the challenges faced by Afghani authorties from the inside. In his introduction, the focus will be on what Afghani authorities have achieved in the field of freedom of expression. The meeting will be chaired by researcher, author and deputy leaer of Norwegian PEN Elisabeth Eide. from an almost 30 years long engagement with Afghanistan, Eide also knows the freedom of expression situation in the country very well. The main introduction will be followed by comments from Kjetil Hånes of the Norwegian Journalists Union and Zahir Athari, who is the spokesperson for Afghani asylum seekrs in Norway.

The meeting is open and takes place at Litteraturhuset, the Literature House, Wergelandsveien 29, Oslo, on Friday 30 May from 14:00 to 16:00.