Sharp rise in violence against journalists reported

The rise of independent media in Afghanistan has been one of the country’s biggest achievements – but there are troubling signs for its future. A growing number of attacks on journalists, and the international community’s continued silence on the issue, are drawing concern.

Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC) said that violence against journalists has increased by 29 percent in the current year as compared to the same period of last year.

Afghanistan Journalist Center findings indicates that at least 103 cases of violence against Afghan journalists have been recorded in the current year.

Regarding factors of the violence against journalist, AJSC said that government officials including security forces are involved in 63.23% cases, unknown men in 16.17%, militants in 11.76%, and armed people in 8.82% cases.

Head of Afghanistan Journalists Center, Ahmad Quraishi said, “Afghan Journalists have suffered heavy casualties in holding the last election.”

Sharp rise in violence against journalists is forcing foreign media-persons to leave Afghanistan. If foreign journalists leave the country then it will affect attention of the international community regarding situation of the country,” Head of AJSC, Najib Sharifi said.

Journalists themselves also spoke out about the dangers they face in trying to report unadulterated news in Afghanistan.

Sidiqullah Tawhidi, head of supporting and opening media watch said, “The national unity government did not act as its commitments and has not supported media rights so far.”

The current year was the most violent year for the Afghan journalists. Journalists in Afghanistan work under extremely difficult circumstances and routinely face violence, threats, and intimidation that prevent them from carrying out their work.

Reported by Farahnaz Forutan