Former Scripps Howard Intern Named Deputy Spokesman to Afghan President

By: 08/13/2015

Sayed Zafar Hashemi was named deputy spokesman for Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in late July.

Former ICFJ Scripps Howard intern Sayed Zafar Hashemi has been named deputy spokesman for Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, according to the office of the President.

Hashemi interned at the Scripps Howard Foundation Wire in 2007 and later worked at Voice of America as an editor and broadcaster.

The Scripps Howard Foundation Semester in Washington program provides two international students each year with the opportunity to work at the news service for a semester. It gives international students the chance to cover news from the nation's capital and to have their stories published by newspapers across the country.

During his time with Scripps Howard, Hashemi reported on the ongoing military actions in the Middle East as well as the security and stability of his native Afghanistan.

Hashemi received his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Maryland in 2012 and his master's in public administration from Johns Hopkins University in 2015.

Main image courtesy of Sayed Hashemi.

Latest News

ICFJ Fellow Builds Community of Women Journalists in Post-Assad Syria

When Bashar al-Assad’s government was overthrown at the end of 2024, Mais Katt, a Syrian journalist who has lived in exile for 14 years, immediately returned to her country. She was one of the first journalism trainers to enter Damascus after the fall of the regime. Her goal? Help prepare women journalists to take advantage of their newfound freedoms.

ICFJ Fellow Investigates Government Failures in West Bank Refugee Camps

Aziza Nofal, a Palestinian freelance journalist and an ICFJ Jim Hoge Reporting Fellow, through her fellowship, conducted a months-long investigation into the shortage of aid for refugees living in West Bank refugee camps. When Nofal was covering Israeli incursions into West Bank refugee camps for outlets like Al Jazeera, she observed a lack of support from Palestinian authorities.

Hold the Line Coalition Welcomes Maria Ressa and Rappler's Acquittal on Foreign Ownership Case, Urges Closure of Remaining Case

A Filipino court has acquitted Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, along with five Rappler directors, in a long-standing anti-dummy case. Filed in 2018 under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the case was based on the allegation that Rappler had violated constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership of media.