2014 most violent year for Afghan journalists

KABUL.

In its report, the group said a 69 percent increase was recorded in incidents of violence against journalists in 2014 over 2013 incidents.

As many as 69 incidents took place during the last six months of 2014, exceeding the number of incidents in the first half of the year, when 68 incidents occurred, the report said.

AJSC head Najibullah Sharifi said government officials were involved in 34 incidents, insurgents in 21, powerful individuals in 26 and unidentified gunmen in 18 incidents.

Besides increasing violence, journalist also faced political, economical and social problems last year, he said, demanding an end to the culture of immunity.

He said lack of awareness among government and security officials how to behave with journalists contributed to violence against reporters.

Sharifi said there was a great need for legislation to protect journalists in line of duty. He said several journalists had lost their lives to suicide and bomb blasts.

The AJSC said the unity government had agreed to 12 recommendations relating to the freedom of expression, but had so far approved only two of them.

nh/ma

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