Saad Mohseni, co-founder of Moby Group, discusses his journey from diplomat's son to leading Afghanistan's largest media company. He explores the ethical challenges of journalism in a country under Taliban rule, revealing the complexities of reporting on sensitive issues while maintaining safety. Mohseni reflects on the severe humanitarian impacts following the U.S. withdrawal, emphasizing the need for continued support for women and minorities. His insights shed light on the fragile state of media freedom in one of the world's most challenging environments.
28:29
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Mohseni's Journey
Saad Mohseni, born in London to Afghan parents, lived in several countries before returning to Kabul in 2002.
After the US invasion, his modest radio station grew into Afghanistan's largest media company.
insights INSIGHT
Initial Assumption
Mohseni assumed the Taliban's return in 2021 would end his media company.
His assumption was based on the Taliban's past restrictions on free media.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Adapting to Restrictions
Despite restrictions like no music or soap operas, Mohseni's company adapted.
They launched educational programs and employ many women, including journalists.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Saad Mohseni, the visionary co-founder and executive officer of Moby Group, shares his remarkable journey from London to Kabul in our latest episode. Born to Afghan parents and having traversed the globe, Saad found himself in the heart of Afghanistan in 2002, where his modest radio station blossomed into the nation's largest media company. Despite the Taliban's return in 2021 and the ensuing restrictive environment, Moby Group perseveres. Saad's story is not just one of business success but of relentless resilience and the fight to uphold an independent media voice in one of the world's most challenging regions.
Episode Summary:
We navigate the murky waters of ethical journalism in volatile areas like Afghanistan. From the dilemmas surrounding the coverage of sensitive issues to the broader ramifications of the U.S. withdrawal, our conversation offers a nuanced understanding of the complexities journalists face. Finally, we discuss the humanitarian fallout of the abrupt Afghan withdrawal, emphasizing the ongoing need for engagement to sustain the progress made, especially for women and minorities.
Key Takeaways:
Ethical Journalism in Volatile Regions: The episode explores the ethical challenges journalists face in regions like Afghanistan, particularly in reporting on sensitive issues such as the treatment of women and minorities, while balancing safety and credibility.
Humanitarian Impact of the U.S. Withdrawal: The discussion highlights the severe humanitarian consequences following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and stresses the need for continued international support, especially for women and minorities.
Role of Independent Media: Mobi Group’s efforts are crucial for providing information and education in Afghanistan, emphasizing the importance of independent media and their role in employing women and offering educational programs.
Notable Quotes:
"We must cover every story, no matter how controversial, because otherwise, we lose our credibility. But every decision carries the weight of potential danger."
"While edicts from the Taliban are very explicit, their implementation is often vague. One week we are told to continue as before, the next, we are questioned for not abiding by the rules."
"Covering sensitive stories is a precarious balance. We must decide how to cover them without compromising safety or credibility, all while under the threat of conflicting directives from authorities."
The Greg McKeown Podcast 
