It’s ridiculous and unsound to compare functioning of media at present, with the one found during Taliban regime given democracy claims to be the champion of fundamental human rights, where the right to expression comes preliminary. People caught with a television were subject to imprisonment or flogging. They unknowingly turned down the worth of vital organ of society, without which a society renders to be impaired and dysfunctional.
The outgoing democratic governemnt, despite providing comparatively better working environment and restricted degree of liberty, Afghan media has been a frequent object of repression, subjugation and harsh treatments by state and anti-state elements, serving a preliminary reason, impacting their quality services. Many cases of reasonless and flawed accusation and allegations are charged against certain media outlets and journalists following their imprisonment and coercion to flee and seek asylum in different countries.
Previously,the American journalist Rosenberg was expelled following his most recent story, published, alleging that some Afghan officials were threatening to seize power in the country if the impasse in the recent presidential elections was not resolved. His stance was deemed as plot of conspiracy against the stability of the country. It should be learned that the states that are anchored on strong foundation of constituition and democratic instituitions; cannot be jolted by any proclaimation, provided that every deed is executed for collective interest of the state.
The order of expulsion of the US journalist received loud condemnation from across the world and concerened organizations. The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Ján Kubiš said “the attempts, aimed at preventing a media representative from freely carrying out his duties, demonstrate a disturbing disregard for freedom of expression,”.
On the other hand, the violence again journalist is also a growing concern in Afghanistan. A safety group of Afghan journalists says it has documented a 60% increase in cases of violence against journalists during the first six months of this year.
The Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC) says 63% cases of violence were committed by the associates of the Afghan government including Afghan security forces, 11.8% by the Taliban and 8.8% by “warlords and commanders”. The remaining cases, meanwhile, could not be attributed to any side.
Another Afghan media group, Nai – Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan, which works to empower independent media and promote freedom of expression says in its report that an increase in violence against journalists in the past seven months has worried organisations which support journalists.
The functioning of media bodies, foreign or local, becoming targets for reprisal for their work as journalists might get worsened. The governments must come forth sincerely, addressing the boundless challenges afghan media faces and must not let this very functional organ of society, beleaguer.