Informed 12 International


media workers IFJ treasurer Jim Boumelha gives an update on the situation for journalists in Afghanistan


ton koene / Alamy Stock Photo


Even before the Taliban entered KabuI, the International Federation of Journalists maintained an information channel between its two affiliated unions in Afghanistan, the AIJA (Association of Independent Journalists in Afghanistan) and ANJU (Afghanistan National Journalists’ Union). While Western governments were


taken surprised by the swiſtness of the Taliban’s take over following the pull-out of foreign troops, the journalist unions on the ground had always been fearful. But even they were taken aback as they watched as the government collapsed within, leading to panic and chaos. Te IFJ brought them together to share information and organise humanitarian help for journalists and their families. Te nation-building effort undertaken


by Western powers for 20 years poured in huge investment into the country, building scores of radio and TV stations, and regional news agencies. Kabul alone had 108 media organisations employing around 5,000 staff, among them 1,000 females. Immediately aſter the Taliban started its offensive, AIJA sent us a list of 140 radios and TV stations which ceased to function. Many Western NGOs were in charge


of huge media programmes. Te US- sponsored Internews established two of Afghanistan’s leading media organisations: Salam Watandar, a radio network that included 67 Afghan-owned and operated partner stations across all 34 provinces, and Nai, a media advocacy and vocational training organisation that had trained more than 19,000


Plight of the Afghan


to the journalists. Te priority was to pay for tickets on commercial flights, costing more than US$1000. But as pictures of Kabul airport disappeared from our screens, the focus switched to concentrating on ensuring the survival of those still in the country. Our Afghan unions helped determine the needs of their members – shelter


for those who had fled their homes, food and urgent medication. Tey proved crucial in distributing the funds from the IFJ’s emergency appeal, which has so far reached nearly US$ 160,000, and is also helping media workers who escaped to other countries.


people, including 4,143 women, since 2005. Internews also played a large role in supporting and developing Pajhwok Afghan News, Afghanistan’s largest newswire agency. In the first phase we were involved in dealing with the chaotic scenes at Kabul airport. As Western media NGOS closed down their offices and started evacuating their core personnel, the vast majority were stranded with their families. Our two unions were overwhelmed by the scale of needs and the IFJ secretariat was forced into overseeing a huge and complex operation. Help quickly came from our affiliates – the NUJ in the UK and Ireland helped with maintaining the database of journalists in danger which soon exceeded 1,000 entries. Other unions pressed their governments to grant visas


Te second phase of our effort has been to ensure the protection and safety of the hundreds of journalists still working. Afghanistan already sits close to the top of the IFJ’s annual list of murdered journalists. Te IFJ has called on the UN and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to take a stand to ensure the protection and safety of media workers in Afghanistan, and to ensure that independent journalism is safeguarded. Unemployment among journalists is estimated at between 70 and 80 per cent, and many are receiving warnings and death threats from terrorist groups and local Taliban officials. Journalists’ unions are convinced that scores of their members are forced to censor themselves and are destroying SIM cards, deleting photos and deactivating their social media. Broadcasters have been ordered to air Taliban propaganda. How many more days before no woman is allowed to do the job of journalist? Qari Yousaf Ahmadi, acting director of the Government Media and Information Centre and long-time Taliban spokesman, set out the direction of the future under the Taliban by unveiling 11 rules for journalists. Te first one sets the tone by stressing that “Topics that contradict Islam must not be broadcast.” Other points were prety similar and confirmed that the new media bosses are Taliban and only Taliban.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12