Afghanistan among world’s most dangerous countries for journalists

KABUL (TOLOnews): Reporters Without Borders said in a report that independent journalism was crushed in Vietnam, Russia and Afghanistan. According to the RSF, Vietnam, Russia and Afghanistan are also among the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists.

“Spying charges are also used against journalists in Afghanistan, where Mortaza Behboudi’s long-awaited release on 18 October 2023 underscored the dangers of journalism under the Taliban, who have been persecuting independent media ever since retaking power in August 2021,” the RSF said.

Meanwhile, journalists called on the interim government to provide them with access to information and stand beside the media.

“I hope the Islamic Emirate approves the law for access to information for the journalists, so we can have better access to the information,” said Ahmad Tanha, a journalist.

“You cannot find a journalist who will not be struggling with the economic problems,” a journalist said.

The Afghanistan Independent Union Journalists voiced concerns over the situation of the media in Afghanistan and urged the interim government to pay attention to it.

“Any action we take should be through legal paths and we have the commission of media violation and complaints. If this happens, I believe that there will be no organization to criticize it [Islamic Emirate],” said Hojjatullah Mujadidi, head of the AIUJ.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate denied the reports of the media watchdogs, saying that all media organizations are freely active within an Islamic structure.

“The media are active and free in Afghanistan. There have been some problems created by Daesh but in general, Afghanistan is the safest place for the journalists,” said Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.

The International Federation of Journalists said in a report that 120 journalists and media workers, including 11 women, have been killed in 2023.

This year, 68% of journalists and media workers killed worldwide have been killed in the Gaza conflict, the IFJ said in a report.

According to the report, two journalists were killed in Afghanistan in 2023.