Nai, Supporting Free Media in Afghanistan says violation against journalists has increased, and in less than three months, nearly 30 violent cases have been registered against journalists across the country.
Nai, on the occasion of Journalists’ Day, celebrated on March 18 in Afghanistan, in a statement said that two journalists were killed, and 16 others injured in last week’s bomb blast that took place at the press event in northern Mazar-e-Sharif province.
The statement further added that the situation for journalistic activities and reporting has deteriorated with each passing day in Afghanistan. A considerable number of media outlets and news agencies have shut their doors due to overwhelming challenges and economic constraints, and thousands of journalists have lost their jobs and fled the country.
Nai has asked the Taliban authorities to respect freedom of speech and media activities, and not let the fragile freedom of expression get affected further.
On March 11, an explosion took place at the Tabyan Cultural Center in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, resulting in the death of at least two journalists and the injury of 18 others. A group of journalists said the attack showed their community is not safe in Afghanistan, calling it an attack on freedom of speech in the country.
Since the return of the Taliban to power in August 2021, the situation has become extremely difficult for journalists to operate in Afghanistan. Besides the ruling regime having imposed tough restrictions on media and journalists, the security situation has deteriorated. The fragile media in Afghanistan is on the verge of collapsing considering the dire situation, with no attention being paid to this vulnerable sector.
