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Episodes/Saad Mohseni - CEO of the Moby Media Group | Radio Free Afghanistan
October 15, 20241:10:07

Saad Mohseni - CEO of the Moby Media Group | Radio Free Afghanistan

Saad Mohseni - CEO of the Moby Media Group | Radio Free Afghanistan

0:001:14:29

References & Resources

Saad Mohseni

Chairman and Chief Executive of MOBY GROUP

Saad Mohseni, CEO of MOBY GROUP, discusses his experience building Afghanistan's largest media company, including Tolo TV, and its impact on press freedom and civil society. The episode covers the challenges of operating media in a conflict zone, particularly under Taliban rule, and the broader implications for Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis. Saad shares key lessons from his book and his journey in a volatile region.

Books Mentioned

Radio Free Afghanistan: The Twenty-Year Experiment in Independent Media

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Key Topics

Building Media in AfghanistanAdvancing Press Freedom and Civil SocietyOperating Under Taliban RuleImpact of Media on AfghanistanBusiness in Conflict Zones

Companies & Organizations

MOBY GROUP

Afghanistan's largest media company, established by Saad Mohseni, operating television and radio stations like Tolo TV.

Tolo TV

Afghanistan's most popular television channel, part of MOBY GROUP, attracting millions of daily viewers.

Show Notes

As Chairman and Chief Executive of MOBY GROUP, Saad has created Afghanistan's largest media company. Under his leadership, MOBY GROUP has established a network of television and radio stations that reach over 60% of the Afghan population. This includes Tolo TV, Afghanistan's most popular television channel, which attracts up to 15 million viewers daily.Saad has been widely applauded for his role in advancing press freedom, empowering civil society, and defending women's rights through his media empire. Time Magazine recognized him in 2011 as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, while in 2013, Foreign Policy magazine named him among 100 Global Thinkers. In 2016, he was featured in the Business Insider 100 "The Creators" list, and recognized by the BBC as one of 10 men globally championing gender equality.Saad currently serves on the boards of the International Crisis Group (ICG) and the Washington DC-based International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).

➡️ Talking Points

00:00 Intro

02:48 Saad's Turning Point

04:08 Moving Back to Afghanistan

06:50 Afghanistan's 2002 Landscape

12:05 Building Amid Chaos

18:00 TV Revolution in 200422:15 -

22:57 Government Mistrust

31:05 Media’s Impact on Afghanistan

36:00 Returning Under Taliban Rule

39:27 Afghanistan’s Humanitarian Crisis

45:16 Running Media Post-Taliban

50:22 Dream Outcome for Afghan Media

54:35 Hope with the Taliban?

57:55 Business in Conflict Zones

1:02:14 Key Lessons from Saad’s Book

1:04:04 Building for the Right Reasons

1:07:20 Advice to 20-Year-Old Saad