The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) recently identified Afghanistan as the most dangerous country for journalists, saying that at least 45 journalists and media workers were killed in the world by 2021 and another 365 journalists were still in prison.
According to the federation, Afghanistan topped the list of countries with the highest number of journalists killed with 9 deaths. Mexico, India and Pakistan rank second to fourth after Afghanistan, with the most journalists killed.
A number of journalists in Afghanistan are calling on the Taliban “Islamic Emirate” to ensure the safety of journalists because they cover everything that happens in the country.
Meena Habib, a female journalist in Afghanistan, told the Roidadha News Agency that after the fall of the country to the Taliban, she, as a female journalist, faced severe restrictions on access to information.
Ms. Habib added that after the Taliban took over the country, 95% of unemployed female journalists and a large number of them left the country; Because many restrictions have been imposed on women journalists by the Islamic Emirate.
He added that despite all the restrictions, he will continue to provide information and will do so with great interest.
Ms. Habib also said that journalists are always exposed to the violent behavior of Taliban individuals, and that this behavior puts Taliban forces at serious risk.
She called on international organizations to listen to journalists to address the situation of journalists and to support journalists in improving the situation of freedom of expression.
Ms. Habib says she was beaten by Taliban forces during a preparing of a report about women protesters, and Taliban beaten her and took her camera.
Latif Yaqoubi, another reporter, told the Roidadha News Agency that the Taliban were restricting freedom of expression by enforcing laws on the media and that they should reconsider.
Mr. Yaqoubi says that while the situation of pre-Taliban journalists was critical and there were death threats against them, access to information was better than that of the UAE government. Since the Taliban came to power, many restrictions have been placed on the media and journalists, which must be followed according to the guidelines.
Dozens of media outlets have ceased operations since 15 August, 2021 and dozens of journalists have lost their jobs. These media outlets have said that they are in a bad financial situation.
“Journalists face security threats, and Taliban insurgents have repeatedly beaten and detained journalists, indicating a lack of a secure space for information,” Yaqoubi said.
Meanwhile, Sayed Yasin Matin, head of the National House of Journalists, told Did News Agency that many journalists who lost their jobs after the fall of the country are in poor financial condition, some of whom do not even have the money to buy a loaf of bread. Mr. Matin says that the Islamic Emirate has not fulfilled its obligations to the media and journalists, and that this has created many challenges for journalists.
He added that there are high-level security threats to journalists, and that Taliban think of journalists as Western spies who in some cases harass them.
Mr. Matin added that in the last two decades, it was the journalists who sacrificed for freedom of expression, and their achievements should not be wasted. “We hope that the countries of the world, especially the International Federation of Journalists, will work with Afghan journalists to solve the problems and the right to access information,” he said.
“There are security threats and economic problems for all journalists,” said Zamen Ali Erfan, another journalist.
Mr Irfan says the Taliban and other elements pose a serious threat to the security of journalists, and that lack of access to information has made journalism difficult in Afghanistan.
He added that one of the restrictions imposed on journalists by the authorities of the Islamic Emirate is that they want the news to be published according to the wishes and within a specific framework, while this is against the work of journalists and journalists always cover the principle of impartiality of events. have given.
Mr. Erfan calls on international organizations to investigate the security and economic problems of Afghan journalists and to put pressure on the leaders of the Islamic Emirate to ensure the safety of journalists.
Afghanistan has been one of the most dangerous countries for journalists for several years. Lack of security, lack of security
Jobs and other problems that hinder journalists have put Afghanistan at the top of the list of most dangerous countries for journalists.
Roidadha News World Agency
