A Dire Situation in Afghanistan for Reporters
As civil society organizations called on G7 leaders to act to prevent reprisal threats of Taliban toward press representatives in the country, news reports confirmed that Taliban members are raiding homes of journalists and their families, heightening intimidation for journalists in Kabul.
Journalists are being hunted, beaten, and killed in Afghanistan.
The latest report from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) documented that Taliban militants attacked the home of Zalmai Lotfi, head of a TV station in Afghanistan, taking his equipment with them. The report stated that the journalist escaped before the Taliban attacked his house.
The Taliban have also targeted journalists affiliated with DW in Kabul in their homes. A relative of one of those journalists was a victim of a Taliban murderous attack.
According to VOA, there are at least two confirmed cases of journalists being harassed and questioned by the Taliban over stories they had published in the past condemning the regime’s brutal takeover.
Civil society organizations from around the world have requested the G7 to ensure the safe evacuation of journalists and media representatives from Afghanistan. Specifically, they've requested to:
Make an explicit commitment to evacuate all journalists, media workers, and media advocates at risk and their families;
Ease visa restrictions for all Afghan journalists, media workers, media advocates, and their families seeking asylum;
Simplify and secure the process for visa application, and collaborate with third countries when possible;
Provide safe passage to and at the airport and other routes;
Remain in Kabul to secure the airport and the possibility to evacuate beyond the August 31 deadline;
Create an emergency fund for Afghan journalists and media workers;
Provide pathways for cash to enter the country;
Repurpose development budget lines to address the emergency;
Coordinate efforts within the United Nations system for immediate support;
At the August 26 special session of the Human Rights Council, call for establishing an independent monitoring and investigative mechanism that is adequately staffed and resourced.
There are fears that journalism goes extinct in Afghanistan despite the Taliban's pledge to respect press freedom.
The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents (AFPC-USA) urged the US government to protect Afghan women journalists in a public statement.
A useful list of how one can support Afghan journalists was released by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).
