2014 deadliest year for Afghan journalists: NAI

KABUL (Pajhwok):  Media support organisation NAI on Wednesday said eight journalists were killed in 2014 when violence against them surged by 64 percent.

Another nine journalists were injured, 20 detained, 38 beaten and 50 threatened and insulted during the year, the organisation said in its yearly report launched in Kabul.

The report says 125 cases of violence against journalist were registered during the outgoing year.

The report shows a 166 percent rise in murder cases of journalists, a 28 percent rise in the number of those wounded and 92 percent increase in incidents of threats and insult.

NAI chief Sadiqullah Tawhidi told reporters 2014 was the deadliest for journalists since 2001.

He said 80 cases of violence against journalists involved government officials and the remaining NATO forces, insurgents and unknown gunmen.

“Before the presidential election results, media associations received two separate letters from the president and the chief executive promising their support towards the freedom of speech,” Tawhidi said.

He hoped violence against journalists would subside in 2015 with support from the government and media advocacy groups.

The NAI report said Noor Mohammad, a producer at Bost Radio in southern Helmand province, was mysteriously killed. Ahmad Shah Naimi, who worked for Radio Nawa and Saba TV, was killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul.

Sardar Ahmad, a reporter for Agence France Presse (AFP), was killed along with his wife and two children in a brazen attack on the Kabul Serena hotel.

Zubair Hatami, a Mirtra TV cameraman, was the latest victim, who died in a suicide attack inside the Isteqslal high school.

Farhad Naebkhail, an Afghan journalist, expressed his concerns over the situation of journalists. He said violence increased against journalists with the passage of time, calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

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