Criticism of Saad Mohseni and Moby Group; Debate on the Role of Media, Politics and the Taliban

Kabul Times News | Report: Abdul Haq Hamidi

Amidst the increasing debate about the future of the media in Afghanistan, Sediqullah Towhidi, a media activist and well-known figure in the field of freedom of expression, has critically examined the record of Saad Mohseni, owner of Moby Media Group, in a critical note, raising questions about the role of this media group in the political developments of the past two decades and its current approach towards the Taliban.

In this article, Towhidi reviews the process of forming private media after the fall of the first Taliban government in 2001, and points to the role of Tolo TV and other media affiliated with Moby Group in developing the media space in Afghanistan. He writes that in the early years of their activity, these media were able to attract a wide audience by presenting news, cultural and social programs and become one of the most influential media institutions in the country.

The author also believes that a significant part of the growth of large Afghan media outlets has been accompanied by financial support from international institutions and projects related to democracy development. He claims that this trend has in some cases raised questions about the level of financial and professional independence of the media.

In part of this note, Saad Mohseni’s relations with some international officials in the first years after the fall of the Taliban are mentioned, and the author claims that foreign support played an important role in the expansion of Moby Group’s media activities.

Tawhidi also emphasizes, referring to the Taliban’s bloody attack on a vehicle carrying Moby Group employees in 2015, that journalists and media employees have paid heavy prices for their professional activities in the past two decades, and that the success of media outlets such as Tolo has been the result of the efforts and sacrifices of hundreds of journalists and media employees.

Another part of this article is dedicated to criticizing Saad Mohseni’s recent positions towards the Taliban. The author claims that some of the statements and positions taken by the owner of Moby Group in recent years have been interpreted by critics as an attempt to normalize relations with the Taliban and bring the group closer to the international community.

The article also makes allegations about Moby Group receiving financial assistance and international projects; allegations to which no official response has been published by Saad Mohseni or the officials of this media group.

At the end of his article, Tohidi warns against what he calls “the distancing of some media outlets from the demands of the Afghan people” and emphasizes that the credibility of the media depends more than anything on the trust of the audience.

Saad Mohseni and the Moby Media Group have not yet officially responded to these views and criticisms.