Violence against journalists on the rise: NAI

KABUL have increased by 50 percent during the current year, a watchdog said on Tuesday.

Media support group NAI’s Director Siddiqullah Tawhidi told a press conference in Kabul that about 60 incidents of violence had been reported this year, including cases of murder.

From 2001 to 2013, at least three journalists have been killed each year in the country. “It is a basic responsibility of the Ministry of Information to safeguard journalists,” he stressed.

The government’s failure to prosecute perpetrators of violence was a major cause of growing aggression against the fraternity. Tawhidi said, adding the Taliban and illegal armed individuals were responsible for the killing of journalists.

He also blamed security officials and influential individuals for violence against the media personnel.

The NAI chief hoped that the new government would investigate the cases of violence that had taken place over the past 13 years.

Tawhidi condemned the latest attack on Pajhwok Afghan News (PAN) reporter Azizullah Hamdard in Kabul last week. He said Hamdard had no enmity with anyone and the attack was linked to his professional work.     

Fahim Dashti, chief executive of Afghanistan’s National Journalists’ Association (ANJA) also condemned the assault on Hamdard. He urged the government to bring the attackers to justice.

He revealed some 28 complaints of violence had been registered with them this year. Dashti called upon journalists and their employers to approach the union to safeguard their rights.

sks/mud

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