KABUL (SW): Activists defending the state of free speech and press freedom in Afghanistan believe these fundamental rights are on a downwards journey during the reign on National Unity Government NUG.
Mujib Khalwatgar, Head of Nai, a local press freedom organization told SW that the restrictions imposed on journalists’ activities, compared to the previous years, have increased phenomenally.
He recalled that the President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and his power sharing Chief Executive (CE) Abdullah were asked by the rights organizations to pledge to protect press freedom during their election campaign.
Khalwatgar stressed that the government should implement the promises both leaders made regarding access to information. He mentioned that the rising incidents of violence against journalist are limitations on media houses are disturbing.
Zafar Shah Royee, a reporter for “Hasht Subh” (8am Newspaper) told SW many journalists feel more insecure now.
Jawed Faisal, Deputy Spokesman for the CE however, claimed the government remains committed to press freedom and the freedom of speech remains a top priority of the NUG. Faisal opposed the idea of comparing the 6 months performance of the new government with the past 13 years and said that the current government put great efforts in supporting media by endorsing the right for having access to information.
Earlier, the government issued a decree to all security related spokesmen not to talk to the media directly and avoid sharing information; instead the media should access the information via the Ministry of Interior’s spokesman in Kabul.
A few days ago, the spy agency NDS was reportedly asked to interrogate two journalists accused for being the men behind “Kabul Taxi” a satirical Facebook page.
Earlier this week, the 6-months report from the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC) recorded 39 cases of threats and violence against journalists during the first half of 2015.
ENDS
