Throughout human history, man daren’t 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. 

It was earlier in an afternoon of an unfortunate day when a journalist Bezhan Barnawej, the Editor in Chief of Bidar Daily stabbed and left bleeds indefinitely by unknown assailants in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital city of northern Balkh province. The unknown assailant particularized to be hitherto missing and the concerned officials are doing their best to uncover the missing assailants. Every journalist will have to face the consequences if found disclosing the harms of public officials or militants.

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.

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 is not 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. The functioning of media bodies, foreign or local, becoming targets for reprisal for their work as journalists might get worsened if appropriate actions are not taken.

In the latest report of Reporters without Borders (RWB)/Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) assert Taliban have been intensifying armed attacks on civilians and openly threatening freedom of information despite countries such as the United States, Iran, Norway and Qatar are “normalizing” their relations with the Taliban and certain Afghan politicians are sitting with them at the negotiating table. Relying to the greatest on peace talks the international community must take a tangible stand conditioning it with promotion of democratic values –freedom of information is one of well held value. It is regretting subsequent to former wave of consecutive attacks none of the partner in peace talks warned Taliban their efforts to restraint freedom of speech might derail the efforts for peace talks.

Agreeably, the recent study by the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSC) attributes 72 percent of violence against journalists to government organizations, 12.5 percent of violence by armed insurgent groups for another 12.5 percent 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. 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. Its latest study however showed a 43 percent drop in the safety of journalists.

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.

It’s appreciable to learn the same time, there have been two key decisions favoring freedom of information in Afghanistan. The parliament adopted a law on access to information. It’s to be remembered that any development hindering the smooth-running of media should be revised or the government is to face the consequently. It should be kept in mind, the press is the defender and the protector of the rights and liberties of the people and the government is facilitator. But it can perform this role only if it enjoys freedom in publishing news, views and reporting given there is no restriction on its functioning. It can function effectively only in an open society, where decisions are made in a democratic manner.

It is an irrefutable notion; democracy encompassing all its core values lay to implementation only when customary cultures are substituted with democratic culture. This renders achievable when ground turns richer for such adoption. 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.

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.