Country: Afghanistan
ICHR strongly Calls on The government of Afghanistan & Taliban to take effective measures to end threats, intimidation, & violence against Afghan journalists & media organizations. The media freedom is vital for holding the government accountable & ensuring public awareness of the peace effort.
Afghanistan’s media plays a big role in public life representing, this is one of the most significant changes that have taken place in the country since 2001. But that achievement is under threat, as journalists face growing intimidation and violence from both state and non-state.
On March 28, the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC) held a town hall meeting featuring leading media figures in Kabul to discuss the critical role media should play in Afghanistan’s ongoing peace process, while also highlighting the risks journalists face.
Recent examples of these risks are all over internet, On March 12, Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi, a journalist in Helmand, was wounded by an explosive device attached to his car. Sultan Mahmoud Khirkhowa a journalist with Zhman TV and radio, was killed on March 15 when two men on a motorcycle fired on his car. The Taliban claimed responsibility for killing local radio journalist Javid Noori in Farah province on January 5. In 2018, at least 13 Afghan journalists were killed more than in any other country.
Since 2015 reports of the threats, assaults, and even murders of journalists – whether by insurgents, strongmen, or officials – has not been investigated and not prosecuted. The situation has not improved since then.
Self-censorship has become a ‘survival issue for most reporters, especially those working in remote areas or provinces, Many journalists avoid reporting on sensitive issues – including corruption, land grabbing, violence against women, and human rights.
Media freedom is extremely important for holding the government accountable and ensuring public awareness of the peace effort. The media freedom has come a longways since 2001, this fragile gain in media freedom is only sustainable if both the government and Taliban take immediate actions to end threats, intimidation, and violence against Afghan journalists and media organizations.
ICHR strongly Calls on The government of Afghanistan & Taliban to take effective measures to end threats, intimidation, & violence against Afghan journalists & media organizations.