Balkh departments deny access to information: Journalists

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Media persons and activists in northern Balkh province say they cannot easily find access to information which has created multiple problems for them.

They say a majority of government institutions particularly security organs refrain from sharing information with media people in time.

Media persons and activists demanded of government officials to share information in line with the relevant law with journalists swiftly when needed.

Journalist Rahimullah Zwak told Pajhwok Afghan News that access to information had been limited that created problems for journalists and that put journalists in deep trouble.

He said when journalists refer to government institutions for information, majority of officials deny to appear for interview, sharing their views or providing information regarding relevant matters.

He said: “Majority of journalists should wait for days to get simple information regarding an incident. We wait for days and weeks, knock at the doors of an institution to share information.”

SibghatullahTawran, a reporter with Paikan private television, said some important government institutions monopolised information and denied to share them with media persons on time.

He said the lack of access to information had faced journalists with problems and if the issue was not addressed, journalists would not be able keep informed the public.

Balkh Information and Cultural Affairs Director Matiullah Karimi acknowledged that some journalists had registered complains regarding bad behaviour and restriction of information in some government institutions.

He said journalists have the coordination committee that met once in a month and heard the problems of journalists.

He said Balkh provincial government was committed to cooperating with journalist in providing them access to information.

Nh/ma

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