It’s ridiculous and unsound to compare functioning of media at present, with the one found during Taliban regime. Democracy claims to be the champion of fundamental human rights, where the right to expression comes preliminary. Taliban’s Islamic interpretation of media was matchless justification of their profound ignorance and crystal clear denial to scientific invention. Media under the Taliban was characterized by strict media laws, including the banning of television, seen as "morally corrupt" and music, banned under Sharia law. To virtually demonstrate their findings Taliban instigated the destruction of television sets in 1998.  People caught with a television were subject to imprisonment or flogging. They unknowingly turned down the worth of vital organ of society, without which a society renders to be impaired and dysfunctional.

Both print and electronic media have turned to be, functionally vital organ of contemporary society; the eyes to disclose the misappropriations, unearth the harsh realities of lives of fellow citizens, miserable state of those governed and endless indifference of government; the ear, to hear the unheard, denied and desperate voices; the tongue, to unfold the unspoken bitter truths with exception to consideration of societal position of public officials or tribal, in regards. Afghan media has strived hard to abide by standard procedure of its undertakings and due responsibilities despite the least assurances of security, safety and minimal remuneration. 

In spite of provisions of comparatively better working environment and restricted degree of liberty, Afghan media has been a frequent object of repression, subjugation and harsh treatments by state and anti-state elements, serving a preliminary reason, impacting their quality services. Many cases of reasonless and flawed accusation and allegations are charged against certain media outlets and journalists following their imprisonment and coercion to flee and seek asylum in different countries.

The aforementioned tales matches with former report of the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) declaring South Asia an unsafe place for journalists in the year 2013 witnessing continued violence against journalists, serving a major threat to media freedom. The report enlists, 22 journalists killed, including three from Afghanistan whilst stating the UN Security Council’s 1738 and several international resolutions on the safety and protection of journalists neglected. The neighboring country, Pakistan outscored with greatest number of journalists killed during 2013 that is 10, followed by India where 8 of them were killed.

The Afghan Media Watch and Nai report shows still greater number of journalists killed the graph of violence against journalists increased in comparison to recent years. The report entails details of several journalists killed, beaten, intimidated and ill-treated in different parts of Afghanistan. 

Reportedly, most cases of violence against journalists involved the Taliban, government employees and officials of private organizations, but rarely average Afghans. The public officials, Taliban, tribal lords demanding censored news, favoring their deep rooted interests irrespective of the legitimacy regarded, serve a primary reason making journalists vulnerable to violence and endless threats.

The killings and death threats 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.

With exception to intimidation by non-state actors, state actors are equally found intimidating the journalists to gain an unrightfully favor else are warned of inexplicable consequences. In that pursuit many cases are registered against some of journalists, few were imprisoned and still other fled to other countries. Over the past few years, a number of cases have been pending against different media outlets in AGO and courts on strong accusation of violating sickening professional ethics that finds only application to hapless journalists. The other public departments found of serious misappropriation are granted exemption given professional ethics don’t find application to them. It’s worth asking, how many public officials are interrogated for violating the so called professional ethics and how many involved in embezzlement are fired despite substantial evidences found against them? Without an intention to unanimously defend media, even for their ill-deeds, unarguably saying an impartial media regulatory body should be constituted, entitled to form media regulatory laws, given all stake holders are taken on board. The media faced increased financial challenges and growing restrictions with regards to access to information is none of government concern. Regretfully stating the government seems not to be interested in legislating, the right to information Law.

Nevertheless, the recent move by the government displays a conforming gesture; provided the cases against journalists were withdrawn subsequent to issuance of pardoning decree by Karzai. It is said that all cases against media outlets referred to the Attorney General Office (AGO) have been closed. The decision came at a high-level meeting, chaired by President Hamid Karzai and attended by senior judicial officials. It is appreciable but not satisfactory unless the laws ensuring complete safeguards to media persons are endorsed and implemented.

Afghanistan’s media have grown rapidly in recent years. At present there are more than 400 outlets. In 2013, Reporters without Borders listed the media environment of Afghanistan as 128 out of 179.  Though a little improvement is observed yet there is much to be done to avert the miserable state of affairs. Afghan authorities should respect freedom of expression and protect journalists, renders a day dream.

However, with the withdrawal of international troops in 2014 and the resultant decrease in funding, the Afghan media will need to become more self-sustaining through advertising or go for closure. Certain unfound allegations directed at, may be used as an excuse to double the pressure on not yet grown media, hammering at their performance.

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.