Background:
Surghar was the first weekly newspaper established in Kandahar (in 2005). It is currently (2010) managed by Mr. Abdul Kadir Afghan. It is a 16-page publication that publishes 50,000 copies a week at a unit price of $0.20. It is mainly Pashto (85%) but also includes some English content (15%). Distribution takes place in Kandahar city and in the safe districts of Spin Boldak, Dand, Daman, and Arghandab, as well as in Kabul, Helmand, Uruzgan, Zabul, Paktia, and Nangarhar provinces and some parts of Laghman province. The newspaper has an estimated 1 million readers. The plan is to increase distribution further, especially in Pashtun provinces. Staff members include five journalists, five non-journalists, two marketing and administration officers, six technicians (designers etc.), and two guards. All are salaried staff members and no females are employed. The newspaper Surghar is supported by an advertising company called Arakozia based in Kandahar (run by Mr. Mohammad Naseem Pashto). Advertising represents a valuable source of revenue, to a total of $1,000 every month ($200 per half page). Local people reportedly come to the outlet to inform them and complain about specific problems. The newspaper has received pressure from both the government and insurgents (mainly by phone).