Freedom of speech worsened under unity govt: Poll

KABUL (Pajhwok): The freedom of speech situation has not improved, but appeared to have worsened under the new government in Kabul, a survey released on Thursday said.

Conducted by free media advocacy group NAI, the study is based on interviews with 305 journalists in Kabul, Herat, Balkh, Nangarhar and Kunduz provinces.

NAI Director Sadiqullah Tawhidi told a news conference here the survey was aimed to assess the situation of journalists and their activities during the first six months of the unity government.

He added half of the respondents believed the freedom of speech had not improved under President Asrhaf Ghani as the challenges journalists faced in the previous regime still persisted.

He said 35 percent of the interviewees responded the freedom of speech had worsened, but 15 percent said it had improved. Fifty-six percent said no changes had come to the situation; 31 percent saw more challenges and 13 percent said the situation had improved.

When journalists were asked how easy it was for them to access information at security institutes, 52 percent replied it had become harder, 36 percent said it remained the same as under the previous government and 10 percent believed access to information through security officials had become some easy.

About access to information in civil and public services departments, 59 percent said it had not changed, 28 percent said it had worsened while 13 percent believed access to information had improved.

About security, 49 percent of respondents said it remained unchanged, 28 percent saw negative trends while 10 percent felt improvement under the new government. NAI said security threats to journalists had increased by 60 percent.

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