NAI again asks govt to protect journalists

KABUL (Pajhwok): A free media advocacy group on Thursday slammed the government for failing to protect its citizens, including journalists.

NAI hit out at the security organs a day after the shooting of a radio journalist by unidentified gunmen in Ferozkoh, the capital of western Ghor province.

“The murder (of Bismillah Adil Aimaq) has once again proven the enemies of the Afghan people deliberately targeted journalists,” the organisation said in a statement.

The watchdog deplored: “The Afghan journalist community started the new year with sacrifice with the assassination of Aimaq…”

Members of the community were being targeted but the government was watching and failed to provide security for its citizens, NAI regretted.

It had asked security agencies after two attacks on Aimaq to probe the incidents and provide him security. “Now the organs concerned, including the Ministry of Interior, must respond.”

NAI once again called on the international community to help eliminate threats to the security of the journalist fraternity in Afghanistan.

The organisation called for the government to take appropriate preventive measures to ensure the safety of journalists.

Meanwhile, President Ashraf Ghani also condemned the killing of Aimaq. In a statement, he said the Taliban and other “terrorist groups” could not silence the legitimate voices of journalists with such attacks.

His government remained committed to supporting and promoting the freedom of expression, the president added.

sa/mud

Views: 2