TALOQAN (SW): The Taliban’s growing influence in northern parts of the country has now posed direct threats to the journalists with a group threatening local journalists in Takhar with dire consequences.
The local Ulema Council in Takhar province has warned the media houses that they would face similar faith of the like of Farkhunda, a young woman stoned to death in Kabul last year for alleged blasphemy.
Mawlawi Abdul Samad, Chairman of the Ulema Council of Takhar province, told a gathering that some of the media houses broadcast anti-religious programs. He warned that if this trend continued, the responsible individuals and media houses would face the faith similar to the one faced by Farkhunda.
Siddiqullah Tawhidi, Director of Nai-Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan, said in this regard that the media houses are broadcasting news and programs in line with the law of the land and norms of the society. He said those violating these should ultimately face legal action but nor from parallel forces.
Tawhidi criticized the local officials in Takhar province for not being able to defend the free speech and independent media. He stressed that no one has the right to take the law in hand.
Sunatullah Taimori, spokesman for the provincial governor, told Salam Watandar that that the government would ensure the safety of journalists and media activists. He maintained that no one would be allowed to undermine the writ of the state.
The reminder of Farkhunda’s murder in such a ways has sparked strong criticism from a number of civil society activists.
Siley Ghafar, a women's rights activist, said while commenting on the threats posed to journalists by Ulema in Takhar that such mindset is actually an insult to the humanity.
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