NAI Voices Concern Over Gov’t’s Influence in Afghan Media Outlets

NAI-Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan has expressed serious concern over government’s influence in private media outlets in the country.

“The influence of government over the open media outlets has increased after the appointment of Shah Hussain Mortazavi as the spokesperson of Presidential Palace. Nowadays, the government manages the news packages of media outlets,” said Mujib Khelwatgar, the chairman of NAI.

However, Mortazavi has considered NAI’s complaint as a political claim and reaffirmed commitment to providing reliable information.

 “The way that the government interferes in media can finally shut the people’s voices and freedom of speech,” one of the Afghan journalists, Nazifa Hashemi said.

Meanwhile, the deputy spokesman of Presidential Palace, Dawa Khan Mina Pal has committed cooperation with the open media in the country.

“We are committed to the freedom of speech and support it. The access to information law has recently been amended and a governmental committee begins work for the implementation of its works,” Mina Pal said.

 The nongovernmental organization advocating for open media in Afghanistan-NAI has always criticized the government officials over denying information.