The Hasht-e Subh Daily has been continuously active for the past eighteen years with the slogan “Reflecting Yesterday, Mirroring Today, and Heralding Tomorrow.” This newspaper has earned a reputable position by supporting democratic institutions, strengthening human values, and echoing the people’s voice through its news, investigative, and analytical approach. After Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, Hasht-e Subh Daily continued its operations in exile despite numerous challenges, striving to provide accurate information and amplify the voices of the people of Afghanistan. Since its inception, the newspaper has published over 120 investigative reports and thousands of analytical articles covering various aspects of social, political, economic, cultural, artistic, and sports life. Currently, Hasht-e Subh Daily operates in Persian, Pashto, Uzbek, and English, with over three and a half million followers on social media.
The Hasht-e Subh Daily was founded eighteen years ago in May 2007 by a group of prominent journalists and human rights activists. Since its establishment, it has tirelessly worked to promote democracy and the growth of political and civil movements to strengthen human rights values through its news, analytical, and investigative approach.
The newspaper began its media operations under the ownership of Sanjar Sohail and the editorship of Muhammad Qasim Akhgar, a distinguished intellectual and freedom fighter in the country.
In his first editorial for Hasht-e Subh Daily, Mr. Akhgar stated: “We speak of the morning and hum the song of today and tomorrow, for even a false dawn heralds the end of night and the rise of tomorrow.” Another part of this text reads: “On this basis, Hasht-e Subh (8 AM) is a call to move towards the morning, an invitation for a new beginning. Hasht-e Subh is a wake-up call, for it is with awakening that one can welcome the morning, and for those who are asleep, the morning holds no meaning. Hasht-e Subh marks the start of work and the opening of doors that are closed at night.”
The Hasht-e Subh Daily, recognized as Afghanistan’s most reputable print newspaper, has published over 120 investigative reports in various fields over the past two decades. These reports have elicited widespread reactions from the public and former government officials at the time of their release. Even after the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, the newspaper has remained steadfast in its investigative efforts, continuing to publish its investigative reports with renewed determination. In nearly the past three years, Hasht-e Subh Daily has released 24 investigative reports, primarily focusing on widespread human rights violations by the Taliban. These reports have covered issues such as the condition of prisoners, especially female inmates, the execution of civilians and former military personnel, vigilante justice, extensive administrative and financial corruption, drug trafficking, and the Taliban’s support of terrorist groups. These reports have provoked both domestic and international responses.
The United States Department of State referenced one of Hasht-e Subh Daily’s investigative reports on the status of female prisoners in three northern provinces of Afghanistan in its annual human rights report this year, which sparked a wide range of reactions both within and outside Afghanistan.
Additionally, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Afghanistan, and officials from several other organizations have engaged closely with Hasht-e Subh Daily regarding its investigative reports, sharing the findings with international bodies. Some of Hasht-e Subh Daily’s investigative reports have also been examined by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Currently, in addition to publishing in Persian, Pashto, Uzbek, and English, Hasht-e Subh Daily produces two podcasts named “Women’s Word” and “Civil Dialogues.” The “Women’s Word” podcast focuses on issues and narratives related to women, while “Civil Dialogues” broadcasts recordings of the newspaper’s weekly Twitter Spaces discussions. Furthermore, Hasht-e Subh Daily publishes a weekly magazine that is distributed in Canada.
The Hasht-e Subh Daily has established a research unit, and its readers will soon witness the publication of research articles in various fields. Additionally, since last year, the newspaper’s visual media production department has been active.
Over the years, the Hasht-e Subh Daily and its journalists have received numerous prestigious national and international awards. In 2012, Reporters Without Borders awarded the global “Press Freedom” prize to Hasht-e Subh Daily.
The East-West Center (EWC) awarded the Journalist of Courage and Impact to Parwiz Kawa, the Executive Director of Hasht-e Subh Daily, in 2018 and 2022. Moreover, in 2023, Hasht-e Subh Daily, along with Amu TV and Etilaatroz, received the Democracy Award from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). In the same year, the newspaper jointly won the Emmy Award with The New York Times.
Additionally, the newspaper’s journalists, especially Akbar Rustami, received the Journalist of the Year award continuously from 2012 to 2016, given annually by the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) for impactful investigative reports.
Asyia Hamzaie, a journalist for Hasht-e Subh Daily, won the Journalist of the Year award in 2020. Hasib Bahesh, the former editor-in-chief, received the award in 2022, and Amin Kawa, the senior editor and chief reporter, was honored with the Journalist of the Year award in 2023.
Throughout this period, Hasht-e Subh Daily has unwaveringly continued its mission to promote human rights values, strengthen freedom of expression, and support the free flow of information. Currently, it serves as a crucial news source for Afghanistan, providing daily reports and analyses on the current situation in Afghanistan, the region, and the world. A dedicated and mission-driven team of journalists in exile tirelessly operates under the banner of “Reflecting Yesterday, Mirroring Today, and Heralding Tomorrow.”
Ferdows Kawish, a former editor-in-chief of the Hasht-e Subh Daily and a prominent journalist in the country, comments on the past and present achievements of the newspaper: “Hasht-e Subh Daily has consistently focused on supporting human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. It has worked tirelessly to promote democratic accountability, control over power, and the establishment of individual rights and governance. This dedication has always been a hallmark of Hasht-e Subh Daily.”
Due to its steadfast commitment to promoting democracy, the rule of law, and democratic processes, and exposing the extensive human rights violations by the Taliban, the newspaper has faced severe pressure and threats from the group.
In October 2022, the Taliban shut down the Hasht-e Subh Daily’s website, 8am.af, and in January 2023, they issued arrest warrants for its executives and staff. Nevertheless, Hasht-e Subh Daily, committed to independent journalism, has continued its unbiased reporting under a new domain (8am.media).
The newspaper’s audience also praises its efforts to uphold human rights values, strengthen freedom of expression, and promote investigative journalism. They believe that one of Hasht-e Subh Daily’s most significant strengths is its relentless reflection of realities and support for democratic processes.
One of the protesting women, currently living under Taliban rule and a regular reader of the Hasht-e Subh Daily, shares her view: “During the Taliban’s control, Hasht-e Subh Daily has been the resounding voice for women, girls, and all citizens who have been marginalized by the Taliban. It is a source of accurate information and a beacon of hope for women and girls. We sincerely appreciate this media outlet for publishing the perspectives of women and all citizens.”
Ahmad Ferdows, a student in Kabul, says, “The state of information dissemination here [in Kabul] is not good. I eagerly read the investigative and analytical articles of the Hasht-e Subh Daily and aspire to write articles that could be published by this media outlet. It would be a source of pride for me. We value the work of Hasht-e Subh Daily during this time, as it continues to enlighten and inform.”
Currently, Hasht-e Subh Daily, with 3.6 million followers on social media, is one of the most widely followed media outlets in Afghanistan. After the country fell to the Taliban, the newspaper’s print edition was halted, and its activities have continued online, through a weekly magazine and podcasts.
Before the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, Hasht-e Subh Daily was printed and distributed simultaneously in more than ten cities across the country. During the previous government, it was printed in the provinces of Kabul, Herat, Balkh, and Kunduz and then distributed in the provinces of Badakhshan, Takhar, Baghlan, Ghazni, and Bamyan.
Hasht-e Subh Daily has consistently emphasized its commitment to independent and professional journalism, aiming to provide unbiased coverage of events and reflect the opinions of the people. It asserts that no repressive actions by the Taliban or other extremist groups can silence this media outlet, which strives for freedom of expression and the free flow of information.
You can read the Persian version of this daily report here:
