Media outlets, journalist bodies greet Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): A number of journalist unions in the country have congratulated Pajhwok Afghan News after it was hailed as an “information hero” by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

The Paris-based watchdog issued a list of 30 coronavirus “information heroes,” including Pajhwok Afghan News, whose courage, perseverance and capacity to innovate helped circulate reliable and vital information during the pandemic.

RSF called Pajhwok Afghan News and Tolonews reporter Anisseh Shahid from Afghanistan as ‘information heroes’ during the coronavirus pandemic.

Journalist unions, government officials, foreign embassies, media leaders and civil society activists congratulated Pajhwok on winning the accolades.

In a joint statement, the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) in Afghanistan and Afghan Media Club congratulated Pajhwok on the achievement.

The statement said: “Pajhwok Afghan News once again, along with other Afghan media outlets, is pursuing its responsibilities with full professionalism, determination and impartiality, despite all difficulties and today it won the ‘information hero’ title among 30 other media outlets for its timely and courageous coverage of the coronavirus in difficult circumstances.”

Separately, the Committee to Protect Afghan Journalists also congratulated Pajhwok and praised the new agency for its bravery and active reporting on the coronavirus.

The Gaheez Journalist Association and the US Embassy in Kabul also congratulated Pajhwok Director Danish Karokhel and all staff, saying they worked in a very difficult situation.

The embassy said: “We salute Pajhwok, Danish Karokhel, and his colleagues for their commitment to keep their communities informed and safe during Covid-19.”

Karokhel, while thanking Pajhwok’s well-wishers, said many Pajhwok employees really worked hard during the Kabul lockdown and braced a difficult situation to report on the disease.

He added at least 15 of Pajhwok workers had quarantined themselves in the headquarters for a month and continued to work under difficult circumstances.

The staffers did all they could to provide citizens with timely and accurate information on Covid-19, the director acknowledged.

Karokhel said a number of his colleagues still went to conference and areas, taking all precautionary measures in pursuit of their mission to provide reliable information to the people.

sa/mud

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