On World Press Freedom Day, some media-supporting organizations said that more than 300 media outlets have shut down in Afghanistan in the past two years and that over 5,000 journalists have lost their jobs.
Some of the challenges that journalists and media complain about include lack of access to information, violence directed at journalists, and economic issues with the media.
"Our coworkers are searching for information, but sadly, the information that must be provided to the media is not provided in a timely and accurate manner. Few Islamic Emirate spokespeople cooperate in this area, if it is provided,” said Hojatullah Mujadidi, chairman of the Afghan Independent Journalists Association.
"Governments must create an appropriate environment for media and media-related activity. As the laws have provided guidance in this matter," said Abdul Qadim Viyar, the head of the safety committee.
Several media representatives criticized what they consider the difficulties facing the nation's journalists and media.
"The reporter is arrested. He is harassed and imprisoned for hours and later released by the Ministry of Culture and Information,” said Abdul Qadir Monsef, head of Pajhwok Afghan News.
"Most of the time, they don't pick up when our colleagues call them, and when we try to call them, the news has already lost its importance and we get that information from foreign media," said Zabihullah Sadaat, director of TOLOnews.
Some journalists said that they do not have access to timely information from government officials, and besides the increase in violence, financial issues have hindered their activities.
"Access to information has decreased unprecedently, and the work of information and journalism is also challenged and plagued with issues like lack of immunity and forced censorship," said Dawood, a journalist.
The Ministry of Information and Culture said that the Islamic Emirate supports the activities of the media within the framework of the laws of the country.
"The government has always stated its full support for public media, whether it be print, audio, or video, within the framework of Islamic values, national interests, and the highest interests of the country," said Abdul Matin Qane, the spokesman of the Ministry of Information and Culture.
On World Press Freedom Day, UNAMA in a statement “expresses serious concern for the future of Afghanistan’s media, with journalists forced to work in climate of intimidation and fear amid increased restrictions by the Taliban de facto authorities.”
According to the UNAMA statement, Afghanistan stood at 156 (out of 180 countries) in the 2022 World Press Freedom Index of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a drop from its place at 122 in 2020.
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