Throughout human history, man dare not to speak or preferred observing silence even if the authoritarian government exercised entirely unjust deeds. The masses rendered hapless to a degree that they had to deem an entirely ill-conduct of ruling class, licit. The disclosure of any truth that could harm the so-called self-defined reputation of ruling elites, led to disreputable consequences. World of regards to democracy that enshrined the right to free speech, an uncontested democratic right, making the government accountable for every deed they undertake. The media therefore is crucial organ of democratic society, keeping the citizen informed about every development taking place in governmental avenues.
In modern democratic society, the system of governance requires well-learned citizens, who are known of most if not all developments taking place within the departments of the government. The foresaid proposition is strengthened by implication of a degree on transparency that is fostered by providing the public with timely, accessible and accurate information.
Democracy ensures the rule of majority by preservation of its core value, keeping the masses informed about every single development in socio-political and economic affairs of the government. In this system of government, say of ordinary masses are given great weightage, who are kept known via unhindered exchange of information between government and masses through impartial and unbiased media bodies. Thus the public representatives hence are left with least chance to manipulate their power or authority or both –are left to follow the due course of action, being closely watched by their Electoral College. The worth of informed civic is immense in democratic societies, having kept that in mind the Access to information Law was deeply felt to get ratified by legislative assembly. Luckily, president Ghani signed the bill into law that awaits its implementation. Reportedly, the government officials themselves are the greatest hindrances to its enforcements.
Nonetheless, this piece of land transitioning towards vibrant democracy intervene certain degree of restraints –including violence and intimidation from both state and non-state actors. Reportedly, most cases of violence against journalists involved the Taliban, government employees and officials of private organizations, but rarely average Afghans. The public official, Taliban, tribal lords demanding censored news, favoring their deep rooted interests irrespective of their legitimacy regarded, serve a primary reason making journalists vulnerable to violence and endless threats.
The killings and death threats demonstrate the major challenges facing journalists and freedom of speech in Afghanistan and the urgency to find ways to provide journalists protection. With exception to risk of life the daily wages are infinitesimally small. Journalists still struggle for fair wages and decent working conditions. It’s worth, underlying the media persons suffer lack of laws, protecting wages and secure working conditions.
In order to highlight the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession, every year, May third is celebrated as Press Freedom Day. This year celebration took place under the theme,” Let Journalism thrive! Towards better reporting, gender equality and media safety in the digital age. Afghan media with minimal assistance from government is striving hard to install improvement in the former; however a pretty long course and undeterred passion are needed to get the latter two propositions put into action. Turning Afghanistan violence free society whilst ensuring the equitable distribution of posts amongst male and female, require ceaseless and committed efforts, we have to make.
Formerly another report surfaced by Freedom House (FH) that showed dreary picture of Afghan media, declining a degree ahead to that of former year. The FH found Afghanistan drop in rankings of press freedom, going from 66th to 67th, based on increased government restrictions on journalists as well as rising violence and threats against the media. The Freedom House report reads Afghanistan's neighbors - Pakistan and Iran - were ranked 65th and 40th, respectively.
According to the report, the systematic imposition of restrictions, non-implementation of the Access to Information bill, increased cases of violence against journalists and broader security threats are the major factors that making Afghanistan a less than hospitable environment for the press. The aforesaid reservation is tallied by officials from NAI, an Afghan media watchdog and advocacy group, confirmed that 2015 saw conditions facing the press worsen from past years.
Earlier, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah met with members of the press and criticized the government's failure to implement the Access to Information bill. This stance certainly is flimsy and contradictory to divert the diligence –the government should not criticize on itself, instead should lay down a plan of action. Consequently, the media bodies urge the leaders of the national unity government to keep their promise relative to safeguarding press freedoms; with Access to Information law standing prior. Conversely, scores of journalists deem the negation of implementation and enforcement of Access to Information bill is a major obstacle to press freedom in Afghanistan.
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.