Publishing Policy

1. Introduction and Mission Statement
The online media platform Buda is an independent digital initiative. This platform focuses on promoting informed dialogues about Afghanistan’s past, present, and future. Through structured conversations and discussions, we engage with prominent figures from various ethnic communities, including university professors, political leaders, officials, social and cultural activists, human rights and social justice advocates, and experts in Afghanistan’s international relations.

Our primary goal is to create a balanced, citizen-focused narrative for Afghanistan’s present and future. This narrative promotes universal human values and transforms ethnic and religious discourses into conversations about citizenship, equality, and a decentralized democratic system. Our main audience is the people of Afghanistan—particularly the educated generation, young people inside the country, and the diaspora worldwide. Content is primarily delivered in Persian (Dari/Farsi).

This publishing policy provides a mandatory framework for all team members. It ensures professional standards, ethical integrity, and operational coordination. As a team with fresh ideas but limited media experience, operating from countries like Pakistan, Iran, and Western nations, we are committed to regularly reviewing and updating this policy to meet emerging needs and conditions.

2. Editorial Principles
Our editorial approach is based on independence, inclusivity, and alignment with our mission. Content should prioritize depth over excitement, fostering critical thinking and constructive dialogue.

  • Neutrality and Balance: All content must represent a wide range of perspectives. No political, ethnic, or religious affiliation should be favored. Balance is achieved not by equal time but through weighting and judgment based on evidence and importance. Voices of underrepresented groups (e.g., ethnic/religious minorities and women) should be amplified.

  • Accuracy and Verification: Facts must be checked against reliable sources such as official documents, direct interviews, or credible human rights reports. Speculation is prohibited. Ambiguities should be clearly stated.

  • Diversity and Inclusivity: Guest selection should reflect Afghanistan’s ethnic mosaic (e.g., Hazara, Pashtun, Tajik, Uzbek, and other minority groups). At least 40% representation should be women and marginalized groups. Content should avoid stereotypes and promote narratives that build bridges.

  • Fairness and Respect: Interaction with guests and audiences must uphold dignity. Rights to respond to allegations must be provided. Offensive or discriminatory content is strictly prohibited.

3. Content Production and Publication Process
To maintain operational efficiency and quality while operating from the diaspora:

  • Guest Selection: Candidates are chosen based on expertise, influence, and relevance to topics. Shortlists are reviewed by at least two team members to ensure diversity and relevance.

  • Production Guidelines: Interviews are conducted in Dari Persian, lasting 45–60 minutes. Secure tools (e.g., Zoom or Signal) are used to protect participants’ privacy, especially in countries where information security is critical. Questions should be open-ended to facilitate deep discussions. Editing is limited to clarity and conciseness without altering the main meaning.

  • Publication Protocol: Content is distributed via the website, YouTube, Facebook, and X. Each piece is accompanied by a brief summary (200–300 words) and relevant links. Publishing follows a regular schedule (e.g., weekly) to engage audiences. Sensitive material requires pre-publication review by the editorial committee.

  • Quality Control: Each piece is reviewed twice—for accuracy and neutrality. Errors must be corrected promptly and publicly announced.

4. Ethical Principles
As an independent digital media outlet, Buda adheres to internationally recognized ethical standards for professional journalism, inspired by frameworks such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). These principles are essential for building trust, particularly in sensitive contexts like Afghanistan, where misinformation can exacerbate ethnic divisions and conflicts. Key ethical principles and their application to our operations are as follows:

  • Truth and Accuracy: Journalists prioritize fact-based reporting. Information is cross-checked with multiple sources to avoid deception or distortion. For us, this means verifying guest statements against credible data (e.g., UN human rights reports), preventing unverified claims about Afghanistan’s political situation, and maintaining credibility with educated audiences and young people inside the country.

  • Independence: Media professionals must operate free from political, corporate, financial, or personal influences that compromise integrity. For Buda, this includes disclosing potential conflicts (e.g., team members’ affiliations) and rejecting financial support that could affect content. This ensures our dialogues remain citizen-focused rather than driven by personal or ethnic biases.

  • Fairness and Neutrality: Content should be balanced, presenting all sides without bias, while maintaining objectivity and fairness. We apply this by inviting opposing viewpoints in ethnic discussions, promoting a shift from ethnicism to citizenship, and avoiding inflammatory language that could incite hatred.

  • Respect for Humanity (Harm Reduction): Ethical journalism requires sensitivity to avoid unnecessary harm, respecting dignity and vulnerability, especially regarding trauma or minority communities. We handle human rights topics cautiously, obtain informed consent from guests sharing personal stories, and provide content warnings for sensitive material to protect young audiences affected by Afghanistan’s conflicts.

  • Accountability and Transparency: Media must acknowledge mistakes, promptly highlight and correct them, and be open to public review. We implement this via a dedicated complaint channel (e.g., email or online form), responding within 48 hours and issuing public corrections across all platforms.

  • Privacy Respect: Journalists must protect the privacy of interviewees and audiences and avoid interfering in personal lives. For Buda, this means anonymizing sources when requested and complying with data protection laws.

  • Integrity and Conflict Avoidance: Upholding professional standards includes avoiding plagiarism or falsification to influence outcomes. References to sources are mandatory.

5. Audience Engagement and Social Media Guidelines

  • Interaction Protocols: Encourage participation of educated youth and young people inside the country through polls, comments, and live Q&A sessions.

  • Social Media Standards: Posts must align with editorial and writing principles. Team members’ personal opinions should not be presented as official views. Coordination is required for sensitive posts.

6. Compliance and Security Measures

  • Legal Compliance: Follow host country laws (e.g., anti-defamation laws in Pakistan/Iran, personal data protection in the West) and international freedom of expression standards.

7. Implementation, Review, and Monitoring

  • Training: Conduct monthly sessions on this policy using free RSF or CPJ resources.

  • Tools: Use digital platforms for interviews and meetings. Consider purchasing a full Google Workspace package for recording, publishing, and official email.

  • Evaluation: Conduct quarterly assessments based on feedback and predefined metrics; annual policy review to incorporate lessons learned.

Conclusion:
This policy ensures that Buda operates as a credible and ethical voice within Afghanistan’s media landscape, aligned with global standards of independent journalism in the digital age.

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