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Concerns over new amendments to media law
Lawyers say that the imposition of restrictions in the new amendments to the media law is in contrast with the constitution.
Officials in some media outlets and media supporting organizations do not see the new adjustments to be acceptable and warn that new restrictions on media outlets will weaken the defense of freedom of expression amid the peace talks.
A draft of the new amendment to the Public Media Law has been developed by the Ministry of Information and Culture; a part of it, in the perspective of the media community, is against the Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – it imposes new restrictions on the work of the media and the way to freedom of expression.
A number of members of parliament also say that amendments that are against the law will not be passed by the House.
From the point of view of the Afghan media community, the new amendments to the Public Media Law impose double and unnecessary restrictions, including censorship before and after publication, and unnecessarily withholding the truth in sensitive matters.
As the Afghan peace talks are around the corner, the imposition of such restrictions on the media is detrimental to the position of defending the freedom of expression at the negotiating table with the Taliban.
“I think it is just a draft, and there is a possibility for modification,” said Mujib Khalwatgar, head of Afghanistan’s Free Media Watch.
In response to the concerns, Saber Momand, the spokesman for the Ministry of Information and Culture, said, “The law on public media has not been amended yet. If there is any, it will be discussed with the media community.”
Also, the Afghan media community, in a letter, has shared its concerns with the President of Afghanistan.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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