Thanks to everyone for their interest in the work of the Reuters newsroom in Kabul. Here are some answers to the questions readers asked.
Answers from photographer Ahmad Masood
To Canon Fodder, who asks for some tricks of the trade in going from amateur to professional photographer:
Thank you for the nice compliment.
I think the best way to learn how to take a picture is to take a picture. This worked out for me fine!
To Sara, who asks about the status of women journalists in Afghanistan:
I think in a way it may come as surprise to many people that women journalists are more privileged than men in Afghanistan. (Though of course, not in areas hit by the Taliban insurgency). The fact that they are women earns them a lot of respect; they get better access, they are treated better and they dont report from behind veils.
To Jonathan Gordon, who wonders if Masood misses writing:
I did try to write and take photographs for a while but I realized my progress with writing in English, which is not my native language, was slow. I could see the results of my progress with photography more quickly, so I dont miss the writing. I am confident I can also be successful outside Afghanistan and I am looking forward to taking photos in a different environment when I am in India. I think it will help my development.
Answers from Senior Correspondent Sayed Salahuddin
To Craig, who asks what is was like to report under the Taliban:
The Taliban officially imposed a total ban on filming and taking pictures of any living objects, because they regarded it as un-Islamic. But a number of Taliban officials were not opposed to it and they allowed filming, especially when it suited their purpose. Despite the ban, we tried our best to take pictures. This sometimes led to brief detention and we had to get our office involved to obtain our release. In all my experience, though, the Taliban never censored what the international media would run and did not dictate or impose their will on the coverage.
To Arizona, who asks about the differences between rural and urban Afghanistan:
For as long as I can remember, there has been a cultural schism between people living in rural and urban areas in Afghanistan. This division is largely based on traditional and ethnic issues, which generally have nothing to do with Islam. My feeling is that some people in the rural areas want to get moving and want to change but there are also people who want to maintain the traditions and cultural way of life that has existed for centuries.
The clash will be around, I believe, for some time to come as Afghanistan is going through an unprecedented period of freedom. My feeling is that even in urban areas, such as the capital, Kabul, there are people who oppose some of the freedoms that have come about since Taliban’s ouster. Since the government is weak and regarded as Western-leaning, it is treading cautiously for obvious reasons, especially given the intensification of Taliban’s attacks.
To Patrick, who asks whether there is an open trade in narcotics on the streets of Kabul:
The Afghan drugs trade is mostly aimed at export. There are some underground networks that sell narcotics but it is not a street type of business.
To Dinesh, who asks whether being Afghan affects my reporting, and to joehancl, who wants to know if the media can manipulate public opinion:
I think the media can play a really positive role in helping to resolve the world’s woes. The media can help stop wars between civilizations, religions and states. It can also stir them. We should try our best to work to end the dangers, regardless of who we are, which religion or ethnic group we belong to or who is our president, who is the world’s super Any media network can play it either way, but people will judge us at the end of the day and we should abide by our principles of neutrality if we want to be trustworthy and last long.
Answers from Chief Correspondent Terry Friel
To Sara on women journalists in Afghanistan:
Women journalists, mainly young, are playing a strong role in the new and vibrant Afghan media. There are plenty of Western women working here, too, many as senior journalists. They enjoy the same access as their male colleagues. Women journalists are more readily accepted into female areas of Afghan life and, especially in rural areas, it can be hard for men to talk to local women for a story. But it varies. In last years election, our male journalists were welcomed into girls schools and womens political meetings where veils and burqas were taken off.
To Arizona, who asks about nightlife in Kabul:
Our team works long, hard hours, often without days off, so we socialize a lot within the house and compound we have some great dancers in the crew! In summer, people take their families on picnics and visit their home provinces. There are cinemas. VCDs, DVDs and music CDs are very popular — especially from Iran and India. In summer, people go out at night and its the season for huge and lavish weddings. In a lot of places, you can see young boys playing football (soccer) or cricket on any open patch of land. There are also plenty of restaurants, from fancy food to basic kebab stalls lit by tube lights. But its winter now; we had our first real snowfall this weekend, so people mainly stay home at night.
Paul Holmes adds:
Some of the comments and questions concerned our coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As a former Reuters Bureau Chief in Jerusalem, I have long been of the view that it is difficult to report this conflict without being criticized at various times by one or other of the parties (and sometimes both). I can assure you that we do not just employ Palestinians or even a majority of Palestinians. Our operation is pretty evenly split between Israelis and Palestinians, with expatriate journalists in the mix as well. I will try to address some of these issues in a posting when I next visit the Middle East.
Finally, Chuck Harris asks whether you need to be rabidly anti-American to work for Reuters. The answer is No. You need to be a good journalist.
Paul Holmes is Reuters Global Editor for General and Political News
Broadway bloggers are weighing in some unexpected casting news: Tony Danza will portray Max Bialystock in the Broadway production of “The Producers” later this month.
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