KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): Journalists in southeastern Khost province on Tuesday called for a probe into insulting a Pajhwok reporter by the Sheikh Zayed University dean.
The journalists, who addressed a press conference in Khost City about the issue, vowed not to stay silent until the university’s administration clarified the matter legally.
A Pajhwok reporter in Khost wanted to make a report on non-functioning of the Kadri hospital at the university, the status of the medical equipment at the hospital and corruption claims.
Pajhwok reporter Yousuf Mangal repeatedly visited the Sheikh Zayed University head office for two weeks to get information, but he was denied the information under different pretexts.
On Monday, Pajhwok reporter once again approached the Sheikh Zayed University administration for information, but instead of sharing information with him, the university director, Hussain Gul Aryubi, harshly responded to him, insulted and expelled the reporter from his office.
Speaking at a press conference in Khost, Abdullah Sahak, a reporter with Azmun Radio, said mistreatment of journalists at government offices was worrisome.
He urged the authorities concerned to investigate the harassment of the Pajhwok reporter by Hussain Gul Aryubi.
He added: “I have many times attempted to interview the university director about his life and work for only 25 minutes, but he did not show up. I’m still looking forward to interview him about the existing problems and we hope the information will be shared with the media in a timely manner.”
Ayub Jan Khater, a reporter with Nan FM Radio in the province, also expressed concern over the misbehaver with Pajhwok reporter, saying information was often denied to the media in Khost.
“We want the media watchdogs to pay special attention to this issue and help resolve such problems of journalists,” he added.
Meanwhile, Saifullah Hayat, head of the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee in southeastern zone, told Pajhwok Afghan News that many government officials in the province were unaware of the Access to Information Law and thus misbehaved with journalists.
He said he would not take the incident as normal and would share it with relevant government and non-governmental institutions.
He added: “Regarding this issue, we are in touch with the commissioners of the Access to Information Commission and they have assured us that this matter will be pursued in the line with the law and principles.”
sa/ma
Views: 10
GET IN TOUCH
NEWSLETTER
SUGGEST A STORY
PAJHWOK MOBILE APP