On World Press Freedom Day, Afghanistan has fallen from 152nd to 178th in the press freedom index.
According to the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) list, Afghanistan has dropped 26 places due to the deaths and arrests of journalists.
Kabul 24: The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) also expressed concern over the restrictions on journalists and their continued detention, warning of adverse consequences.
The report from AFJC said: “On the occasion of May 3rd, World Press Freedom Day, we voice our deep concerns regarding the escalating restrictions on media and the ongoing widespread arrests of independent journalists in Afghanistan, cautioning against the adverse effects of this continuing trend.”
“From May 2023 to the present, journalists and media in the country have faced significantly more restrictions and problems in terms of enjoying their legal and fundamental rights than in the period one year prior,” said Ahmad Quraishi, the AFJC executive director.
The UN Women for Afghanistan, as well as Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-GeneralWorld Press Freedom Day Sees Challenges and Opportunities for Afghan Medi for Afghanistan, the spokesperson for the US Embassy in Afghanistan based in Qatar, and Amnesty International have expressed concern about the restrictions on journalists and media, emphasizing the neec to support and protect journalists.
The UN Women for Afghanistan stated: “80% of women journalists in Afghanistan have had to stop working due to restrictions, harassment and intimidation. On World Press Freedom Day and every day, we keep supporting media initiatives and women journalists who strive to advance women’s rights & gender equality.”
Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan, said: “As we mark World Press Freedom day, we pay tribute to journalists across Afghanistan, who are doing their best to keep the nation informed, often at great risk. Their work is essential for an informed and prosperous nation, and for action on education, the environment, health, the economy, and good governance for all Afghans. They must be celebrated, supported, and protected.”
A part of Amnesty International’s statement reads: “Only when media workers are able to do their job without fear, the stories of Afghan people can come to the fore. Their right to freedom of expression must be prioritized and protected.”
Mario Crifo, the spokesperson for the US Embassy in Afghanistan based in Qatar, said: “The regulatory environment for media remains ambiguous, and access to information about government activities has been curtailed.
Perhaps most importantly, and disappointingly, the number of women in the profession and the representation of women in Afghan media has declined—and so too have the opportunities for women to attain the education they need to be contributors and leaders in the media sector.”
However, the Islamic Emirate, emphasizing cooperation in various sectors with journalists, demands all media to operate with consideration for national and Islamic values.
Hamdullah Fetrat, the deputy spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said: “The recommendation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to the media is to continue their publications while considering Islamic and national values as well as Afghan customs.”
Previously, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) stated in its annual report that Vietnam, Russia, and Afghanistan are among the most dangerous countries for journalists.
Afghanistan’s Press Freedom Ranking Drops 26 Places, RSF Report Reveals
World Press Freedom Day: Afghanistan Falls to 178th Position in Press Freedom Index
On World Press Freedom Day, Afghanistan has experienced a significant decline in its press freedom ranking, dropping 26 places from 152nd to 178th in the press freedom index according to the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) list. This drastic change is attributed to the deaths and arrests of journalists in the country.
Concerns Over Restrictions and Detention of Journalists
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) has expressed deep concern over the escalating restrictions on media and the ongoing widespread arrests of independent journalists in Afghanistan. The center warns of adverse consequences if these trends continue.
From May 2023 to the present, journalists and media in the country have faced significantly more restrictions and problems in terms of enjoying their legal and fundamental rights than in the period one year prior, according to Ahmad Quraishi, the AFJC executive director.
International Organizations Express Concern and Support
The UN Women for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan, the spokesperson for the US Embassy in Afghanistan based in Qatar, and Amnesty International have all expressed concern about the restrictions on journalists and media. They emphasize the need to support and protect journalists.
The UN Women for Afghanistan stated that 80% of women journalists in Afghanistan have had to stop working due to restrictions, harassment, and intimidation, and they continue to support media initiatives and women journalists who strive to advance women’s rights and gender equality.
Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan, paid tribute to journalists across Afghanistan, who are doing their best to keep the nation informed, often at great risk.
She emphasized that their work is essential for an informed and prosperous nation, and they must be celebrated, supported, and protected. A part of Amnesty International’s statement reads that only when media workers are able to do their job without fear, the stories of Afghan people can come to the fore. Their right to freedom of expression must be prioritized and protected.
US Embassy’s Concerns and Islamic Emirate’s Recommendations
Mario Crifo, the spokesperson for the US Embassy in Afghanistan based in Qatar, expressed concerns about the regulatory environment for media remaining ambiguous, access to information about government activities being curtailed, and the decline in the number of women in the profession and representation of women in Afghan media. He emphasized the need for women to have opportunities for education to be contributors and leaders in the media sector.
The Islamic Emirate, on the other hand, emphasized cooperation in various sectors with journalists and demanded all media to operate with consideration for national and Islamic values. Hamdullah Fetrat, the deputy spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, recommended that media continue their publications while considering Islamic and national values as well as Afghan customs.
Previous RSF Report Highlights Danger for Journalists
In its annual report, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) previously stated that Vietnam, Russia, and Afghanistan are among the most dangerous countries for journalists. This latest report highlights the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Afghanistan and the need for international support and protection to ensure their safety and freedom to report.
