Endorsement of media law, greater access to information urged

KABUL (Pajhwok): On World Press Freedom Day heads of some media outlets and some media support organization have demanded the endorsement of the media outlets law, greater access to information, financial cooperation and improved coordination between media outlets and the government.

The Ministry of Interior (MoI), however, pledged support to press freedom in the framework of Islamic values and national interest, adding that problems faced by media outlets and journalists would be addressed.

The Afghan Journalist Safety Committee (AJSC) organised a gathering in Kabul to mark the World Press Freedom Day.

AJSC Head Abdul Qadim Weyar while referring to the importance of freedom of press and the unfortunate economic situation of the media and journalists, said that the establishment of a commission to deal with violations and complaints, the return of some journalists to the country, and the establishment of the media outlets were some of the developments in the past three years, but they were not enough.

He said that despite the creation of a commission to deal with violations and media complaints, this commission still did not have that much authority and sometimes journalists are treated irresponsibly

Zabihullah Sadaat, head of the Tolo News, said Lack of access to information, absence of media law and the economic problems faced by media and journalists were some of the challenges faced by media outlets and journalists. He asked the government officials to address these challenges.

Najibullah Noorzai, Editor-in-Chief Shamshad Television, stressed timely access to information and greater cooperation from officials and said: “If you want professionalism from the media, respond them on time.”

Farkhnaz Farebraz, a reporter of Aryana News said, that limitations on women journalists in some news conferences existed and she asked that the government to remove these restrictions and allow women journalists participate in news conferences.

MoI Spokesperson Abdul Matin Qanai acknowledged some problems faced by the media outlets and stressed the IEA was committed to the freedom of the press in the framework of Islamic values and national interest.

He assured that problems faced by journalists and media outlets would be addressed under the framework of Islamic values.

According to the AJSC, there was a 10 percent male workforce increase and 17 percent female workforce surge in media outlets last year.

After the regime change in 2021, 21 radios, five news agencies and three televisions have started operation.

May 3, World Press Freedom Day is an opportunity to take stock of press freedom globally, defend the media against attacks on their independence, and honor journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.