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Metra Media
The producer drags the back of his hand across his forehead. He has never had much tolerance for heat. Mina, on the other
hand, seems immune to these suffocating temperatures. Even after twenty minutes under the lights, her face shows not a bead
of sweat. He’s never wanted to be in front of the camera anyway. He is good at his job, he knows. He should really be at a
bigger station, one that can afford to pay its staff a decent salary. But he also knows that he has never worked with someone
like Mina Noori. When she’s not in front of the camera, she is plowing through emails, squeezing acquaintances for scoops,
interviewing people over the phone, or stewing in verses of contemporary poetry. Viewers love it when she recites a memorized
quatrain or inserts a literary reference into her program.
“Esteemed viewers, since the capture of Zaranj, the Taliban have continued to press further into the north, and in the last twenty-four hours, other major cities have fallen into the hands of the insurgents.
We have confirmation that the provincial capital Sheberghan has been captured along with the province of Jawzjan.
Heavy fighting was reported throughout the city, and while Afghan National Security Forces launch a counteroffensive to reclaim control, it appears Taliban fighters have taken over a number of government buildings.
Furthermore, today brings us word that three additional provincial centers—Sar-e-Pol, Kunduz, and Taloqan—have been taken over by the Taliban after several days of intense fighting.
“Families packed the bare essentials and fled the city of Kunduz, moving through clouds of panic and smoke as fires raged
in several areas. One local resident told us that since the Taliban had arrived, the city had come to a standstill. While
some shops burned, others closed down, and people were going without water or food. An Interior Ministry spokesman announced
on social media that the counteroffensive efforts were making significant progress and that many areas of the city had been
recaptured and that many insurgents had suffered injuries or been killed at the hands of the ANSF.
“Residents have also reported that the Taliban broke into the local prison and released captured Taliban soldiers along with
other prisoners. Across social media, video clips showed inmates fleeing. Afghanistan’s human rights commission sharply criticized
the Taliban for abuses and violence perpetrated against civilians. A young man revealed to us the fresh wounds on his back
after he was captured by the Taliban and lashed publicly while two men held him by his wrists and ankles.
“An attack in Kabul yesterday claimed the lives of two men and wounded another. Lawyer, radio voice, and journalist Toofan
Omari of Voice of Paktia was killed returning to his home yesterday. Notably, his radio station dedicated half of its time
to coverage of women’s issues and news, and Agha Omari partnered with other media institutions to support free media in the
country. The attackers also killed a prosecutor from the attorney general’s office.
“Thus far, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the attack, though government officials believe it was carried
out by the Taliban.
“Meanwhile, in southern Helmand, journalist Nematullah Hemat was abducted from his home by Taliban fighters. Without knowledge
of his whereabouts, his family and colleagues are in a state of panic.
“Concern grows across the country as deliberate attacks continue to claim the lives of journalists, health-care workers, police officers, and other civil servants. In the past year, more than thirty journalists and media workers were killed or abducted by extremists. This, on top of the targeted assaults against health-care workers, police officers, civil servants, and judges, has spurred growing alarm across the country. Women in these professional roles have been especially at risk. Among notable women with positions of authority or influence or significant visibility, many feel they could be next.”
The producer wonders how Mina can continue to be a public figure in such a time. He thinks of the great courage all these
slain or assaulted women and men must have summoned to continue their work each day. How many viewers are learning not to
follow in their footsteps? How many others will die trying?
Mina looks back to the camera. Only the producer, who has come to know the anchor’s countenance and rhythm better than anyone
else, detects the subtle clench in her jaw. It’s gone before he can name what he’s just seen. He reaches for his mug of tea,
tepid and bitter, and listens to Mina close out the program just as she has been doing for the past two years.
“Valor may shorten a life in harsh terrain, but like a rising sun, it lengthens the shadow she casts. Long live the glorious
memories of our lionhearted women and men. Dear viewers, this concludes our program for the evening. As always, may God be
with you all and, inshallah, may I come to you tomorrow as the bearer of brighter news.”