Abdullah says committed to freedom of speech

KABUL (Pajhwok): Urging media outlets to keep national interest supreme, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah on Monday said he was committed to protecting the freedom of expression.

Abdullah was taking to journalists and culturists, who called on him at his office in Kabul. The participants shared their problems with the CEO and called for their solution.

Abdullah said the government was trying to resolve the problems being faced by journalists and culturists and also sought their cooperation with the government.

He said he was committed to the freedom of speech. “It was not our campaign slogan alone, we will prove this in practice,” Abdullah said.

However, he urged media organisations to benefit from the freedom expression within the ambit of the law.

Abdullah asked the officials concerned in provinces and districts to cooperate with journalists in finding access to information.

About supporting literary figures in various spheres of life including publication of books, the ECO said he would discuss it with the Ministry of Information and Culture.

Abdullah urged businessmen to come forward and support the government in assisting literary figures.

To a demand from journalists, the CEO said culturists and professional individuals would be appointed in the Ministry of Information and Culture and provincial culture departments.

Senior journalist Abdul Moeed Hashmi on the occasion said political turmoil should be avoided in future because such unrest created problems for the whole nation, particularly literary figures.

He said incidents of violence against journalists had increased in provinces, with security forces and powerful individuals adding to their miseries. Hashmi said poor writers should be supported by the government.

ma/mud

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