Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has expressed concern and condemned the intensification of pressure and violence against the media and journalists, in response to the beating of Selagi Ehsaas, a female host of Dost Radio in Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan.
While Ehsaas was returning from work on 20th July, unidentified gunmen stopped her and pistol-whipped her in Moi Mubarak village of Surkh Rod district in Nangarhar province.
AJFC reports that Ehsaas, who was beaten before being transferred to the hospital, is still in shock and dread. She said she does not “feel safe”.
The locals brought Selagi to the hospital after she fell unconscious due to the attack and the terror that was caused by the attackers’ brutality.
It is alleged that the female broadcaster was beaten by the Taliban; however, the Information and Culture Department of the Taliban in Nangarhar province has denied the claim and has stated that it is investigating the nature of the situation and its causes.
She is also said to work as a midwife in one of the private hospitals.
Previously, on June 6, the manager of Dost Radio, Sahaar Sirat Safi, was detained by Taliban intelligence in Kabul and released after 28 days.
According to UNAMA, there have been significant changes in the country’s media landscape, including the closure of more than half of the free media, the evacuation of hundreds of journalists, and rising work restrictions, violence, and threats against journalists.
