Vatican: 10 news professionals have already been killed in Afghanistan in the first six months of this year.
2016 has been the most dangerous year for journalists in Afghanistan with 54 incidents of violence having occurred in the first half of the year, according to a new report by the Afghan Journalists’ Safety Committee. This is a 38 percent increase of attacks on journalists since the same period in 2015.
The incidents included killings, assaults, detentions and intimidation. Behind the attacks were Afghanistan’s own government, the Taliban, and other private groups, including War Lords and the Mafia.
Katie Ascough spoke with Najib Sharifi, Director of the Afghan Journalist Safety Committee, to find out more about which types of journalists are being targeted and what role the Afghan government is playing in these attacks, Vatican Radio reported.
“It’s very disappointing to see the government itself being responsible for a huge number of cases while the government is morally and legally responsible for providing a safe working environment for journalists,” Mr. Sharifi said.
Afghan women in media have been especially targeted, running “bigger risks compared to men”, Sharifi informed. “It’s mainly because they not only face threats and violence from the Taliban and other sources, but also from their own families and from the extremist elements of the society.”
Unfortunately these women, particularly news broadcasters and hosts of entertainment shows, are facing a two-sided attack: on one side, radical groups; on the other, their nearest and not-so-dearest family and friends.
As for other types of journalists targeted by the ruthless extremists, Sharifi explained: “It’s mainly journalists who do serious investigative reporting or [are] involved in reporting political and social affairs. Journalists who investigate corruption…most of the time come under intimidation.” Sharifi implied that such an enviroment inevitably stifles freedom of expression.
When asked if there is hope for the attacks to abate, or if the problem is likely to continue, Sharifi replied: “It depends on a couple of factors. One is that if…the [Afghan] president delivers on his commitments, the safety situation will definitely improve. We also need support from international communities and international media support organisations.”
In conclusion, Sharifi shone a glimmer of hope: “Afghanistan’s president has made meaningful, very good promises; however, they have to be implemented and serious action needs to be taken about it.” Serious action indeed. There’s no time for breaking promises.