Some local media officials in Helmand expressed fears over a possible province-wide end to media activities due to economic challenges.

Officials of local media outlets that are still active called on the government and local and international organizations to support media in the province, saying the media will shut down if they don’t receive funds.

“If media-supporting organizations do not support media in this province the remaining media will be closed soon,” said Hafiz Ahmad Nasrat, head of media in Helmand.

“Most of the media stopped their activities in Helmand, due to economic challenges,” said Ehsanullah Ehsan, financial manager of a media outlet in Helmand.

Meanwhile, some reporters and media workers in Helmand have complained about low salaries, saying they are struggling with economic problems.

“We call on the government to put attention on media and media workers and their salary should increase. The current income is not enough for the current needs of the journalists' families,” said Mohammad Rohani, a freelance journalist.

“Our current income is not enough for our needs, and we ask the government and media-supporting organizations to pay attention to our salaries,” said Azizi Ullah Rahimi, a media worker.

Islamic Emirate officials pledged that the current government will support the local media.

“In general, the Ministry of Information and Culture in a meeting with media representatives and pledged that media will receive support based on the laws across the country,” said Bilal Karimi, Deputy Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.

It comes as in the last two years, four TV stations and four radio stations have stopped their activities due to economic challenges.