KHOST CITY (Pajhwok): The Deputy Minister for Information and Culture says the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) cannot ignore the effectiveness of the media, though some groups exploit its name.
Hayatullah Mahajir Farahi, Deputy Minister for Publications at the Ministry of Information and Culture, spoke at an event marking International Day for Universal Access to Information in Khost province.
He emphasized that media freedom in Afghanistan was unparalleled and unprecedented compared to other countries and regions.
Farahi affirmed IEA’s commitment to the freedom of media and journalists, but noted that some circles misused media's name for their own agendas.
He said, “Unfortunately, some parties outside the country exploit the media and press for purposes that go against our values, religion, and culture, and do not serve the higher interests of our nation."
He also highlighted that all government spokespersons were obligated to provide timely information to the media and journalists.
Meanwhile, Shabir Ahmad Usmani, director of the Information and Culture Department in Khost, stated that efforts had been made to ensure timely information to journalists and to address their challenges.
“We have always tried to facilitate journalists. Many have reached out to us for information, even at night, and we have worked to meet their needs," he said.
However, some journalists in the province continue to face challenges in accessing information. They urged government officials to ensure timely communication with the media.
Independent journalist Saifullah Zahir told Pajhwok Afghan News, “When an incident occurs, the government often prefers it not to be covered, while social media rushes in and reports it inaccurately. Despite our efforts to report professionally, we are still denied access to the scene."
Currently, there are 370 active visual, audio, and print media outlets in Afghanistan, with officials claiming that there are no barriers to their operations.
sa
