KABUL (SW): Members of the journalist fraternity have expressed concerns over exploitation of their colleagues in media houses on top of the dangers journalists face in the field.
In conversation with Salam Watandar, a number of press freedom activists said journalists are caught in the middle of poor contracts and harsh working conditions. Navid Barikzai, a Kabul based journalist, said in this regard the contracts and salaries which the media organizations provide to the journalists is in clear violation of the labor laws of the country.
Afghanistan Journalist Union (AJU) and NAI-supporting free media organization, agree that reforms are desperately needed.
Sayed Muzhda Mustafawi, deputy minister for Information and Culture, said in this regard that the regulations for private media organizations are designed to also protect the journalists, but the regulations are not implemented in true spirit. “The press freedom organizations and journalists’ unions should cooperate with the government for the implementation of these regulations”, urged Mustafawi.
The journalist community has also lamented the project driven zeal of media houses, and the lack of attention towards the natural growth of this sector.
ENDS
