KABUL (SW) – At least 42 cases of violence against journalists have been registered in the first six months of this year, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Sunday.
The report, released on Sunday 19 July, stated that of all the cases of violence and threats against journalists, 2 were related to murder, 11 cases about injuries, 6 cases about physical abuse, 9 cases were related to insults and humiliation, 7 cases were related to threats, and 4 cases were about abduction while one case about non-payment of monthly salary.
The Committee to Protect Journalists blamed the Taliban and Daesh for most of the violence against journalists, with 18 cases of violence and threats against journalists traced back to them.
The report blamed government officials as the perpetrators of 13 acts of violence against journalists.
According to the report, the capital zone was the most unfavorable part of the country for journalists and media workers with 22 cases of violence and threats. The northern zone of the country was seen as relatively safer in this term.
The report added that seven cases of violence against female journalists and female media workers were registered.
The report by the Committee to Protect Journalists stated that the highest number of cases of violence (42 cases) was recorded during the outbreak of the coronavirus.
It said the media community's concerns about possible restrictions on freedom of expression and freedom of the media were among the other challenges faced by the media community in the first six months of 2020.
The Committee to Protect Journalists added that in the proposed peace talks, the government’s negotiating team must defend the values of freedom of expression and freedom of the media as non-negotiable values. The committee reportedly proposed a solution, and the government's negotiating team was asked to enter into talks with the Taliban with that proposed solution in mind.
In the meantime, spokesman for the presidency, Sediq Seddiqi said in a series of tweets the government would protect freedom of speech and free press and the Taliban must not look into an alternative, and adhere to the reality.
“The Afghan Government will strongly support freedom of media in the AFG Peace Process as one of the core values of our Republic. AFG government will hold a principled position in the talks, formed by the values of our open society and gains of the past 19 years.” he tweeted.
ENDS
