Violence against journalists unacceptable: Govt

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ashraf Ghani administration on Friday renewed its commitment to upholding constitutional provisions on freedom of expression and access to information.

Central and provincial government officials were obliged to provide accurate information to the people within their jurisdiction, the Presidential Palace said.

“Violence against journalists is unacceptable under all circumstance and judicial organs will seriously pursue such cases,” Ghani’s office said in a statement.

Presidential Palace officials, in coordination with civil society institutions, would do all they could to protect journalists, promote freedom of expression and ensure access to information.

Last week, the Afghanistan Journalists Association voiced its concern over government’s efforts to curb the flow of information. It alleged some government agencies were trying to deny reporters the information they needed.

The freedom of speech situation appeared to have worsened under the new government, a survey found on Thursday. Conducted by free media advocacy group NAI, the study is based on interviews with 305 journalists in Kabul, Herat, Balkh, Nangarhar and Kunduz provinces.

pr/mud

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