NUG limits Journalists access to Information

After the formation of the unity government, Afghan journalists complain about limitations on access to information.

A number of journalists believe that they cannot access to the governmental spokesmen on the ongoing important issues in the country.

Attiqullah Bana an Afghan Journalist said,” After the inauguration of the National Unity Government access to information has been limited, and this situation is concerning journalists”.

“Governmental spokesmen denies to share information with media, this issues has caused unbalanced publishing of the incidents,” another journalist Akbar Rustami complained.

Most of the world countries including Afghanistan refer Media as the Fourth Estate.

Though; “Freedom of Speech” is considered as one of the major achievements of the Afghan government during the last 13 years, but Afghan journalists still criticize on lack of access to information.

A number of Wolesi Jirga (the Lower House of Parliament) members also complain about journalist right to access the information saying the government wants to hide their irregularities.

Shekiba Hashimi a member of the House said,” the reason why spokesmen deny speaking in public is because they want to hide their shortcomings and this is a wrong policy”.

MP Farhad Sediqi highlighted,” Freedom of Speech is one of the biggest achievements in Afghanistan during the last 13 years; the government must institutionalize democracy by providing information to the public”.

NAI – Agency supporting open media in Afghanistan asks the government to respect the “Freedom of Speech” and share facts with the public.
NAI Chief Executive Officer Mujeeb Ul Rahman Khelwatgar believes,” the reason why they avoid sharing information with media is because they want to hide facts from the people’s eyes. If they continue with the current procedure, it will question the legitimacy of the system and it is against the Afghanistan’s Constitution”.

During the last 13 years Afghan Media could play a significant role as eye and voice of the people, because most of the governmental facts and failures were portrayed by media.

Reported by: Rafi Sediqy