The South Asia Media Solidarity Network in a report expressed concern about the Afghan media situation and criticized attacks and harsh restrictions on Afghanistan’s media. 

The network calls on the world to support Afghanistan’s media. 

“Reiterating its solidarity with all Afghan journalists and media workers, SAMSN calls on the international community to take immediate action to address the deteriorating state of freedom of expression and press freedom in Afghanistan. More must be done to ensure the safety and security of those journalists who remain in the country, with substantial additional support and further humanitarian programs required to accommodate those in exile.” 

Abdul Raoofi, an Ariana reporter, said he has been beaten by Islamic Emirate forces while covering a blast in Kabul.

“They didn’t even let me speak, they attacked me first, they slapped me and then hit my head with stick and made me bleed,” said Abdul Raoofi, an Ariana reporter. 

Meanwhile, some journalists in the capital said that they are faced with restrictions while covering security events and access to information. 

“Security forces don’t allow us to cover events and that is a serious problem because media and people who watch the media want to be aware og events,” said Abid Momand, a reporter. 

“Our expectation from the Islamic Emirate is to make information available for us so we can be aware of the real situation and security events,” said Hujat Ullah Mujadadi. 

But the Islamic Emirate rejected the report and said that any action is for reporters’ security and not meant to restrict. 

“The job of security forces is to provide security for our countrymen and prevent accidents. For security reason our forces control the area and at that time if our reporters coordinate with the forces maybe they will not create problems,” said Bilal Karimi, an Islamic Emirate deputy spokesman. 

Meanwhile, according to reports of media support organizations, more than 200 print and visual media outlets are closed due to economic challenges and 7,000 media workers lost work during the last year.