Wahid Payman
Wahid Payman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Gregorian (40) |
| Nationality | Afghan |
| Parent | Sayed Fazal Ahmad Payman |
| Website | https://www.wpayman.com |
Wahid Payman, also known as Ahmad Wahid Payman (in Persian: وحید پیمان), is an Afghan journalist, former editor-in-chief of the newspaper 8AM based in Kabul,[1] and former chairman of the Advisory City Council of Herat (City Council).[2]
In 2004, he was recognized as Journalist of the Year in Afghanistan.[1] In 2014, he received the "Young Journalist of the Year" award from the Skills Development Center (MAM).[2] In 2016, he was awarded the Prize for Active Journalists in Social Media by the Afghanistan Media Studies Institute.[3] In 2020, the Afghan House of Representatives honored him and the 8AM newspaper for their extensive coverage of COVID-19 with a recognition award.[4]
After the fall of Kabul on October 15, 2021, Wahid Payman left Afghanistan and currently resides in Hamburg, Germany.[5]
Biography
[edit]Wahid Payman is the son of Sayed Fazl Ahmad Payman, a renowned poet and respected judge in Afghanistan. He was born in 1363 of the solar calendar (1984 CE) in the city of Herat. His father, Sayed Fazl Ahmad Payman, was a distinguished Afghan poet and former Attorney General of Herat Province. The Payman family is part of the esteemed and well-known Sadaat lineage in Herat.
Childhood and Primary Education
[edit]Wahid Payman spent his early years in Herat. Due to the onset of civil war in Afghanistan, his family migrated to the province of Badghis, where he completed his primary education. After the Taliban came to power, his family moved again, this time to Iran, where Wahid continued his secondary education. During this period, he developed a deep interest in newspapers and books on politics and history.
Return to Afghanistan and Higher Education
[edit]After the fall of the Taliban in 2001, the Payman family returned to Afghanistan. Wahid resumed his studies in Herat, ultimately earning a bachelor's degree in Law and Political Science, focusing on international relations. His interest in social issues and human rights laid the foundation for his extensive work in these fields.
Professional Career
[edit]Wahid Payman began his journalistic career in 2003 by collaborating with the National Television of Afghanistan. He later joined the 8AM Daily newspaper as a reporter and manager, eventually becoming its editor-in-chief. He also served as the chairman of the Advisory City Council of Herat, addressing urban and social issues in this role.
Migration to Germany
[edit]Following the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Wahid Payman left the country due to security threats. He currently resides in Hamburg, Germany, where he continues his journalistic, research, and human rights advocacy work. In Germany, Payman collaborates with international media outlets and organizes campaigns to support human rights, amplifying the voices of the Afghan people on the global stage.
Human Rights Activities
[edit]Wahid Payman is one of the leading activists supporting media and freedom of expression. Following the Taliban's strict restrictions on media in Afghanistan and the introduction of severe laws against freedom of speech, he was among the first to advocate for a change in this situation.[6][7][8]
He also actively advocated for girls' rights after the Taliban closed secondary schools for girls. Payman led campaigns on social media and in the press to amplify the voices of Afghan girls globally.[9][10]
In October 2023, following a devastating earthquake in Herat, Wahid Payman became one of the main sources for information and interviews with experts. While the Taliban refrained from providing accurate information and claimed the earthquake was a "divine event" that required no investigation, Payman helped millions of Herat residents by sharing information on social platforms, enabling them to understand the events and implications of the earthquake.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17]
External Links
[edit]- Wahid Payman’s profile on the website of the 8AM Daily (archived)
References
[edit]- ^ "Journalist of the Year Afghanistan - 2004". afjc.af. January 21, 2021. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
- ^ "8AM Reporter Named Best Young Journalist in Herat". 8AM Daily (in Persian). August 21, 2021. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|offline=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Best Media Festival in Herat: Radio Azadi, 2015.
- ^ "The House of Representatives Honored the 8AM Newspaper and Pajhwok Afghan News for Extensive Coverage of COVID-19". 8am.media (in Persian). August 17, 2021. Archived from the original on 17 August 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
- ^ Ahmad Wahid Payman (October 5, 2021). ""I Hope You Never Have to Experience This"". Der Spiegel. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
- ^ Summoning media officials by the Taliban | Interview with Wahid Payman on Afghanistan International: Afghanistan International
- ^ Suspension of local media programs | Conversation with Wahid Payman, Afghan journalist, on Afghanistan International: Afghanistan International
- ^ Closure of "Nai" organization supporting journalists | Discussion with Wahid Payman on Afghanistan International: Afghanistan International
- ^ Wahid Payman’s protest against the arrest of an activist for girls' education in Herat on Afghanistan International: Afghanistan International
- ^ Wahid Payman’s protest against the exclusion of Afghanistan from the global coalition for freedom of expression on Afghanistan International: Afghanistan International
- ^ Interview with Voice of America about the Herat earthquake | Wahid Payman: Voice of America
- ^ Interview with Afghanistan International about the earthquakes in Herat | Wahid Payman: Afghanistan International
- ^ Priorities for aid to Herat earthquake victims | Wahid Payman, Interview with Salim Moqimi: Salim Moqimi
- ^ Interview with Salim Moqimi about the Herat earthquake | Wahid Payman: Salim Moqimi
- ^ Status of earthquake victims in Herat | Discussion with Wahid Payman on Afghanistan International: Afghanistan International
- ^ The tragedy of Herat | Discussion with Wahid Payman on Afghanistan International: Afghanistan International
- ^ Intolerance of the Taliban in Herat | Discussion with Wahid Payman on Afghanistan International: Afghanistan International
Template:SORTNAME:Payman, Wahid
External Links
[edit]Wahid Payman's Featured Articles on 8AM Daily's Website