KABUL - A recent study by the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC) attributes 72 percent of violence against journalists to government organizations.

The findings for the first six months show that armed insurgent groups are responsible only for 12.5 percent of violence against journalists.

Another 12.5 percent is caused by unknown elements and the remaining three percent by local powerful people.

According to the study, Afghanistan's western provinces recorded the highest number of incidents of violence against journalists.

The violent incidents included one murder, four cases of assault, 19 incidents of beatings, two detentions and 13 cases of threats against journalists, the report added.

Twenty-eight of a total of 39 cases occurred from January to June and were attributed to government organizations, AJSC head Najib Sharifi said.

"In this study, the government is responsible for 72 percent of violence against journalists because the government is obliged to provide a safe working environment for journalists," Sharifi said.

Meanwhile, media supporting agency Nai expressed concerns over what it said was government's restriction on media and called it a threat to the freedom of expression.

"We believe that as each day passes, government imposes new restrictions on the media," Nai director Mujeeb Khelwatgar said.

The concerned committee conducts the study twice a year. Its latest study however showed a 43 percent drop in the safety of journalists. (Tolonews)