Violence against journalists increases in Afghanistan: report

Violence against journalists has increased slightly in Afghanistan in the past year, and almost 6,000 media workers have lost their jobs in this time, according to a report released on Wednesday.

As many 117 cases of violence against journalists and media workers were registered in Afghanistan within one year since March 2021, according to the joint report by Afghanistan Journalists Center and Afghan Independent Journalists Association.

Four journalists were killed during the period, the report said.

In the preceding year period, Afghan Journalists Center had registered 11 deaths and 103 other cases of violence against media workers in the country.

Farhad Behroz, deputy head of Afghan Independent Journalists Association, said that 5,928 people who were working in the media sector had lost their jobs during the past year.

“We share with the international community what creates hurdle for free speech. This year was not a good year for journalists,” Behroz said.

Journalists meanwhile urged the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to facilitate access to information.

“IEA should serve all equally and it should facilitate making an investigative report,” said Sadaqat Ghorzang, a journalist.

Hadya Ziayee, another journalist, said: “Female journalists are facing lots of problems in journalism. But we are hopeful of better days to come.”

IEA, however, reiterated its commitment to supporting journalists in Afghanistan and helping to end violence against them.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the IEA, recently said that the government would seek to attract foreign aid for media outlets in Afghanistan.