Afghan journalists at an event asked the Islamic Emirate to make it easy for them to access information.

At an event held by the "National House of Journalists of Afghanistan" to honor the work of journalists, reporters said that some government spokespeople do not provide information to the media on time, and in some cases they face restrictions.

"We ask the current government to respect freedom of speech and make information available to journalists on time,” said Zaibullah Sharifi, a journalist.

"We ask the Islamic Emirate to pay attention to journalists, especially female journalists,” said Rukhsar Hamidi, a journalist.

However, the deputy minister of Publications at the Ministry of Information and Culture acknowledged that there are issues with access to information, but he pledged that efforts will be made to address them.

"We are trying to end the problems facing journalists, and it is the indisputable right of journalists that they should have access to timely information,” said Mahajir Farahi, publications deputy minister.

"They should avoid publishing anything that may affect people's minds. Protection and the safety of journalists and the media are the primary responsibility of the government of the Islamic Emirate,” said Abdullah Habib, deputy spokesman for the Interior Ministry.

"We are here to honor the achievements and the activities of our fellow professionals. I would want to do this unique task on behalf of the National House of Journalists,” said Sayed Yasin Mateen, director of the National House of Journalists of Afghanistan.

Earlier, the Association of Independent Journalists of Afghanistan said that over 200 media outlets had halted operations in the last year and a half due to economic difficulties, and more than 6,000 media employees had lost their jobs.