Afghanistan National Radio and TV, which has been pumping out government propaganda since its inception, has finally been privatised. It is the first time in the history of mass communication in Afghanistan that a huge establishment - with over 2,000 staff in the capital and provinces - has been detached from the government and put under the supervision of a five-member board.

Arman and Kilid, two private broadcasters, are always criticising the government and they conduct themselves as free and independent media. The success of these stations is down to audience participation. They air scores of listeners' calls, including a lot of criticism. This should be taken on board by the national broadcaster as well. Privatisation of this giant arm of the state, which has an army of employees and equipment worth millions of dollars, is the most significant step towards democracy taken by the Afghan administration.