KABUL - Concerned about growing violence against journalists, a media advocacy group on Wednesday asked the government to provide security to the community, especially during the election process.

Nai, which supports open media in Afghanistan, said 73 incidents of violence against journalists, including five murders, took place during the outgoing solar year.

Nai Director Sadiqullah Tawhidi told a press conference in Kabul three journalists had been killed by unidentified gunmen and two others by militants.

He said 16 journalists were wounded, 29 others beaten and 23 more threatened during the period.

There were 77 cases of violence against journalists last year, when three reporters were killed, he recalled.

 “Journalists face problems in finding access to information at different government offices. We want the government to respect the rights of journalists and help them cover the election process,” Tawhidi demanded.

Nai has conducted a survey on government’s interference in media affairs, with 80 percent of 200 individuals interviewed accusing the government of censoring media activities.

Those interviewed included journalists, youth, women, students and lecturers.

A majority of those surveyed believed journalists were denied access to information and asked the government to help them highlight public interest issues.

Some journalists complained their directors were depriving them of certain privileges.

They said the owners did not pay attention to their salaries, public holidays and transportation. (Pajhwok)