AJF to Saleh: Prove allegations or apologise to Pajhwok

KABUL Journalists Federation (AJF) on Thursday asked former intelligence chief Amrullah Saleh to prove his allegation that Pajhwok Afghan News is reliant on the government or apologise to the media outlet.

Some days back, the ex-spymaster wrote on his Facebook page: “For the purpose of cutting extravagance in government spending and to ensure transparency and accountability, it is better to incorporate the Pajhwok News Agency into the structure of the Ministry of Information and Culture, Presidential Palace, or whatever other state institution that you may deem fit for the purpose.

“Now, it is well known almost to everyone that Pajhwok News Agency is funded from secret government allocations and receives instructions from special quarters in the government.

“When special activities lose their cover in the field of intelligence, tradecraft dictates that they should be either terminated or absorbed officially into the structure of the government,” Saleh suggested.

Pajhwok, an independent and impartial news agency, in an emailed letter, has asked the former intelligence chief to substantiate his claims. However, he did not respond to the emailed query directly and instead restated his previous views.

Later, Pajhwok sent a complaint to AJF, saying Saleh’s allegation had badly tarnished of the news agency and posed direct threats to dozens of its employees in Kabul and other provinces of the country.

In a statement after receiving Pajhwok’s complaint, the AJF asked the erstwhile spymaster to present evidence in support of his allegation or apologise to the news agency.

The federation reminded all organisations, individuals and groups that any kind of allegations against media outlets would be thoroughly investigated by the commission concerned.

The AJF urged the institutions concerned, particularly the media complaints commission, to address the complaint of Pajhwok Afghan News in line with the relevant law and demands of justice.

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