On World Press Freedom Day, the Office of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) emphasized the protection and safety of Afghan journalists and said that despite the many risks, these journalists are doing their best to provide accurate information to the Afghan people.

Today (Friday, 14 Thor), Roza Otenbayeva, the special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Afghanistan, on her X page, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, thanked Afghan journalists and said that despite the great risks, these journalists do their best to provide accurate information. They do to the people of the country.

On this day, Mrs. Reza Otunbayeva emphasized the support and security of Afghan journalists and added that the activities of journalists are important for a prosperous and informed nation.

He said: “Their work is essential for an informed, advanced and prosperous nation and is vital for all Afghans in key areas such as education, environment, health, economy and good governance.” Their bravery is commendable and these heroes (journalists) should be encouraged, supported and protected.”

In this regard, the United Nations Women’s Department said on World Press Freedom Day that 80% of women journalists in Afghanistan had to stop working due to restrictions and harassment.

“On World Press Freedom Day and every day, we continue to support media initiatives and women journalists working to advance women’s rights and gender equality,” it wrote.

On the other hand, the American Embassy in Afghanistan has expressed concern about the increase in harassment of journalists in Afghanistan on the World Press Freedom Day and has said that the media environment for journalists in Afghanistan has become difficult and access to information about government activities is limited by the Taliban group. has been

This embassy has emphasized that the number of female journalists and representation of women in Afghan media has decreased and this is disappointing.

However, the Center of Afghan Journalists said on the occasion of this day: The findings of this center show that in the last 12 months, 136 incidents of violation of freedom of media and journalists have been registered in Afghanistan.

According to this center, from May 2023 until now, the media and journalists in Afghanistan have faced more restrictions in terms of the level of freedom and enjoyment of their fundamental and legal rights than in the previous period, and their rights have been violated more widely.

The findings of this center show that, based on this report, the Taliban have established at least 17 directives against the media law in the country after they regained control of Afghanistan.

The Center of Afghan Journalists has said that in the past one year, the center has recorded 136 incidents of violation of freedom of media and journalists, including 73 cases of threats and 64 cases of detention of journalists by the Taliban.

According to this organization, now, along with the Taliban Intelligence Department, the Department of Prohibition and Prohibition of this group is also summoning, interrogating and detaining journalists.

In an announcement of this center, it is stated that currently, in addition to the leader and senior officials of the Taliban, the powerful officials of this group are also imposing restrictions on the media.

This center has asked the Taliban group to respect the freedom of the media and allow the media and journalists to operate based on the law of access to information and the law of public media.

On the other hand, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Reporters Without Borders said that Afghanistan is among the worst countries for journalists and press freedom after Syria and Eritrea.

According to the press freedom list prepared by Reporters Without Borders on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, Afghanistan ranks 178th in the world with 19.09 points.

But; The Taliban group says that they are committed to the right to access information to the people and that freedom of expression is not restricted in Afghanistan.

This is despite the fact that in the past two and a half years, journalists have always complained about the lack of access to information and said that the Taliban group should cooperate with journalists in this regard.