On World Press Freedom Day, Journalists threats cases increased

Access to free and fair media is sharply declining all over the world at the same time World Press Freedom Day was marked in Kabul with the slogan of “Let Journalism Thrive”.

3^rd of May is celebrated as the International Press Freedom Day in Afghanistan, while violence against Afghan journalists have been increased during the last one year.

Afghan government and International Community proud freedom of speech in Afghanistan, but media advocate institutions believe that freedom of speech is only in big cities, and we have to extend it into suburbs.

Abdul Hameed Mubarez Head of Afghan Journalist Union said,” we cannot conclude Afghanistan to He-rat, Kabul, Kandahar, Jalalabad and Mazar-i-Sharif, in order to institutionalize freedom of speech we have to struggle to improve it in the suburbs too, otherwise we cannot say we have freedom of speech”.

UNESCO ambassador in Afghanistan Mr. Ricardo said that we have to respect freedom of speech to reach peace and improve human rights, because this is not an optional fashion, but an indication of developed countries.

Media advocate institutions emphasize that polls show that more than 50% of the threatened journalists do not report the threat cases.

Sediqullah Tawhidi Head of NAI, agency supporting open media in Afghanistan, said,” our investigations reveal that 50% of violence against journalists do not report to any institution, so it means the amount of violations against Afghan journalist is higher than what we have reported”.

Elyas Alawi Head of Afghan Journalists Immunity Committee added,” there is a culture of exemption in Afghanistan, we cannot resolve violation against journalists unless we take care of this challenge”.

Governmental officials vow zero limitation against media activities in Afghanistan.

“Afghan National Unity Government and Interior Ministry is committed to the principle of freedom of speech, threats against journalists is a personnel tact,” MoI spokesman Sediq Sediqi stated.

NAI has recorded about 105 cases of violations against journalists between 3^rd of May 2014 to 3^rd of May 2015, including four death cases.

Reported by: Waheed Nawisa