NUG Imposes Censorship over Journalists: NAI

NAI – Agency supporting open media in Afghanistan has released findings of its new research which shows a significant increase of censorship over the work of journalists by the National Unity Government and reveals an intelligence look of the government to the media.

The Organization works locally to empower independent media and promote freedom of expression.

In the study, interviews have been conducted with 335 reporters in 25 provinces of Afghanistan which reveals censorship over the work of journalists during the last eleven months.

According to the new study, 48 percent of the censorship has been imposed by the government, 46 percent by the local strongmen, 40 percent by the media administration and Taliban has been ranked on grade four of the research.

“The government is preventing access to information for two reasons, first they want to hide their failures and second they have an intelligence look to media,” Mujib Khelwatgar Chief Executive of the NAI agency said.

The study also reveals that most of the censorships have been imposed over Afghan journalists in Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan.

In addition, the research study says the government is trying to hide security and military reports, local strongmen also prevent journalists to reflect the result of their failed efforts in the media, and Taliban also want the media to censor their causalities in fight with the Afghan security forces.

Meanwhile NAI touches escape of the 23 photographers who have left Afghanistan to seek asylum outside the country calling it shocking news.

Khelwatgar stated, “These cameramen have left Kabul toward the Europe and its main reason is lack of physical security, job security, censorship, terrorist activities and an unknown future”.

Afghanistan is among the dangerous countries for journalists, only in 2014, the deadliest year for Afghan reporters, eight journalists were killed and a high number of violence was recorded.

Reported by: Ahmad Fawad Naseri