Chinese media condemns Afghan journalists’ killings

BEIJING (Pajhwok): Chinese media outlets have expressed profound shock at the killing of journalists and increasing threats the free media in Afghanistan.

Over the past two weeks, 11 Afghan journalists have been killed in Kabul, Kandahar and Khost province. Of them, nine killed in twin suicide attacks in the capital last week.

At an annual conference between Afghan and Chinese journalists in Beijing, the deputy head of the Pashto service of Radio China said that journalists purveyed vital information to the people and had no link with any particular group.

Chenzhong, also known as Ghutai, speaking to Pajhwok Afghan News, voiced her serious concern over the killing of journalists asked Kabul to be more serious about ensuring security media workers.

Terrorism was a common threat, she said, asking the international community and the Afghan government to take concrete measures in defeating the scourge and enforcing security.

State-run news agency Xinhua journalist Zhao Yishen said he had severed in Afghanistan and knew the problems the journalists were facing there.

He condemned the attack on journalists, saying the RFE cameraman, one of the fatalities, was his friend. He also called upon the Afghan government to ensure journalists’ security.

Jian Zhi Qiang, founder of the Pashto service of Radio China and professor of Pashto literature at China University, said journalists were impartial and should not be targeted by any side.

sa/mud