Violence, intimation and subjugation have been extremist elements, seeking a right portrayal to their wrong deeds. Throughout human history, man observed 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, would earn them 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 particularly the truth about public affairs. 

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. The people with totalitarian brought up can’t bear these bunch of free flow of information tempt to curb it. 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.

It is an irrefutable notion; democracy encompassing all its core values lay to implementation only when customary cultures are substituted with democratic culture. The media allowed to function without any hindrance is deemed a core culture, must be promoted. This renders achievable when ground turns richer for such adoption. Prior to assuming the office of presidency, President and CEO promised to support the freedom of press. Some measures favoring freedom of information have also been begun which include modifying the access to information law, eliminating the Media Offences Commission, and the planned creation of a media regulatory body under a new media law. This won’t suffice unless regulatory bodies to oversee its implementation are set in. Nonetheless, the case is otherwise in this piece of land where biases seek sectarian, racial, religious and regional support. Everybody is discriminated on flawed aforesaid grounds. Truth is lies off and falsehood dominates; the list goes on.  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.

Formerly Taliban issued a strong threat against TOLO TV and 1TV with death threats against all staff. Taliban accused the two channels have reported contrary to their interests. In a statement issued by the group, it said the two channels were now considered a direct military target in their war. In addition to the death threats, the Taliban threatened to destroy all facilities belonging to the two TV channels.

Following the reception of threat call Afghan media collectively staged a press conference and resolved not to bow to the threats of the Taliban following the group’s issuance of statement and video. 

Such bright day light issuance of death threat 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. Responding to threat call to media bodies government at the end of the day could hardly dare to condemn the call.

In Afghanistan, media personnel often have to carry out their duties in an extremely precarious ambiance. The variant functional groups owing variant interests try hard to avow their influence and strive earning the favor of media person by physical might. Hence journalists must act with promptness and caution, balancing their professional duties with awareness about when to pull back when things spiral out of control. In this piece of land numerous journalists have been killed in the line of their duties. Though, press censorship isn’t popular term -the great degree of restraint and severe and callous treatment from both state and non-state actors is worth mentioning. Such cold-hearted attitudes are occasionally witnessed in states passing through totalitarian, despotic and dysfunctional or paralyzed democratic regimes.

Formerly a report surfaced by Freedom House 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.  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. The functioning of media bodies, foreign or local, becoming targets for reprisal for their work as journalists might get worsened if appropriate actions aren’t taken.