Afghan Media outlets should have impunity: Dashti

Afghanistan supporting media institutions say that Taliban’s warning to two private media outlets is an alarm for media family in Afghanistan and any attack on these institutions consider war crimes.

The supporting media institutions declared that the media outlets in Afghanistan are not related to any parties and they are civil institutions which must have their impunity.

Taliban have warned attacks on 1TV and Tolo private TV channels operating from Kabul with sub offices and reporters in a number of provinces.

In a statement on Monday, the group declared Tolo and 1TV, privately run news and entertainment stations, as legitimate “military targets” and labeled them “propaganda networks.” The two networks are known for their critical views of the Taliban.

“The (Taliban) from now on does not recognize Tolo and 1TV as media outlets but designates them as military targets due to their disrespectful and hostile actions,” the statement said.

“Hereafter all the reporters and associates of these channels will be deemed enemy personnel, all of their centers, offices and dispatched teams will be considered military objectives which will be directly eliminated.” The statement threatens.

Journalists from the two channels have been extensively reporting on the progress of Afghan forces in retaking the city and Taliban’s gang rapes and mass murder during their Kunduz occupation.

“Taliban’s warining is not limited just only to two media channels but also to all Afghan media family. Freedom of speech is one of the biggest achievement of Afghanistan in the past decade and Afghan people do not expect media outlets to give up against threats and violence,” Fahim Dashti, CEO of Afghanistan journalists union said.

Institutions supporting media outlets in Afghanistan demand national and international institutions to widely support Afghanistan media and protecting staffs and employees of media should be their priorities.

Human Rights Watch in January warned about growing violence and intimidation against journalists in Afghanistan by Taliban insurgents, warlords and the government.

Reported by Rafi Sidiqi