Saba Media Organization (SMO) was established in 1997 as a cultural, social and not-for-profit media organization that assists in the sustainable development of Afghan society through educating and raising the awareness of Afghan citizens, towards creating a society of peace, solidarity and stability.
SMO was established to facilitate the development of capacities and sustainability of free media initiatives in Afghanistan.
SMO plans to serve all free media initiatives apart from its own, to actively strengthen and consolidate the efforts of free media for sustainability and long-term improvement.
The scopes of SMO’s works includes Nawa Radio’s two channels which each broadcast 24 hours in 22 provinces, two Saba Television channels in Afghanistan’s six largest provinces, the Gandahara Production Unit and Fajer Printing Press. SMO teams up with national and local media towards providing nationwide coverage.
SMO depends on donor funding. Its major funders in 2011 included The Royal Netherlands Embassy, Oxfam Novib, UNDP/ JHRA – DLC, CPI, ACTED, UNDEF, ASGP/Creative, AWE and EC.