The deputy minister of information and culture, Hayatullah Mujajir Farahi , on Monday urged all government agencies to refrain from interfering in media activities and said the ministry will address any issues faced by the media.

Muhajir also urged the media to share with the Ministry of Information and Culture the issues they are facing.

“The Ministry of Information and Culture makes it clear to all government bodies and the mujahedeen of the Islamic Emirate that the Ministry of Information and Culture will address it if the media makes a violation in any part of the country,” Muhajir said.

Media supporting organizations said the Commission on Media Violation should investigate cases pertaining to journalists and media outlets. They added that the government’s interference would harm press freedom in the country.

“Institutions that suppress freedom of expression and media activities should be prevented, and our wish was always that the Commission on Media Violation should follow up on media issues,” said Farhad Behroz, deputy of Afghanistan’s Free Journalists Association.

A number of journalists said that the media is facing a number of issues that need to be addressed.

“Media outlets are struggling financially and are unable to pay most of their reporters. Another issue they are dealing with is journalists’ difficulties related to the lack of access to information,” said Mustafa Shahryar, a journalist.

“Reducing taxes, granting advertisements to the media outlets and preventing other institutions from interfering in their activities will help in addressing issues faced by media organizations in Afghanistan,” said Mohammad Raqib Fayaz, a journalist.

Based on data from media-supporting organizations, two TV networks, seven radio stations and a news agency have stopped their operations in Afghanistan in 2022 over economic issues, according to data from the institutions that support the media.